Eat heme iron foods daily: beef, lamb, liver, dark turkey meat, sardines, clams, oysters
Add non-heme iron foods: lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu, spinach, pumpkin seeds, fortified cereals
Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C foods: oranges, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli
Take an iron supplement only if advised by a doctor
Take iron on an empty stomach if tolerated
Avoid tea, coffee, and calcium supplements within 2 hours of iron intake
Cook with cast-iron cookware
Treat heavy menstrual bleeding if present
Address blood loss, ulcers, hemorrhoids, or other sources of bleeding
Get tested for anemia and ferritin levels
Follow your doctor’s prescribed iron dose exactly
Recheck iron levels after treatment
Seek urgent medical care for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or severe weakness