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The mechanisms and administration of ferrous sulphate in Anemic People

Anemia is a condition wherein people have slightly lower/much lower levels of hemoglobin or red blood cells in their blood. When someone has anemia, they'll have an array of symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Anemia is caused by a deficiency in Iron in the blood: which results in hampered production of the adequate amount of hemoglobin (the protein which transports oxygen around the body.)

Thus, to treat anemia, the root cause of an Iron deficiency has to be treated. To do this, doctors recommend people to take Ferrous Sulphate. Ferrous sulphate is a form of an iron supplement which contains ferrous ions (Fe2+), and is the easiest type of iron ion for the human body to absorb (as compared to ferric ions Fe3+.) Through its increased bioavailability, ferrous sulphate is one of the most effective treatments for replenishing iron levels and for treating anemia. 

How does ferrous sulphate work:

Once its ingested, the medication is absorbed all the way in upper intestine through the intestinal mucosa by specific protein channels (pathways) like the Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT-1), and then is stored in the form of ferritin or directly transported to the bloodstream. 

After the Fe2+ ions are absorbed, it is converted into the form that our body uses (Fe3+ ions), and then bound to transferrin (a transport protein.) The protein carries Fe3+ ions throughout the bloodstream, all the way down to the bone marrow. 

Once the ferric ions reach the bone marrow, the iron is turned into heme, a component of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is then used to produce red blood cells, and treat all the symptoms of Anemia that people have. 

How is ferrous sulphate administered:

Depending on patient needs, ferrous sulphate is given in doses of 325mg once a day (in more severe cases, it is upped to thrice a day.) The medicine is ALWAYS advised to be consumed an empty stomach to allow for maximum absorption. It is also encouraged that you have your tablets with some form of vitamin C since ascorbic acid promotes absorption as well. Thus, most doctors will advise an anemic person to have ferrous sulphate with a glass of orange juice. 


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