Dr Amir Khan has spoken out about a deficiency affecting one in three women in the UK. Iron deficiency anaemia, often caused by blood loss or pregnancy, can be treated with tablets or iron-rich foods like red meat, green leafy vegetables, and beans.
Dr Khan, known for his social media presence and daytime television appearances, said he was approached in the gym by a woman asking about iron deficiency. She told him she was taking iron supplements daily, but her levels were not rising. Dr Khan pointed to a 2020 study suggesting that taking iron every other day could improve absorption.
He explained: 'In the gym today, a lady came to talk to me about her iron levels. She's taking iron every day but her levels are not going up. I told her this, and I'm going to tell you because it really surprised her. For years, we've told women with low iron to take iron tablets daily. In the past, we used to say twice a day. But a really interesting study found that taking iron every other day may actually help your body absorb more iron than taking it every day. I know that sounds crazy, but let me explain why.'
Dr Khan elaborated: 'Your body has a hormone called hepcidin, which acts as your iron gatekeeper. When you take an iron tablet, hepcidin levels rise and tell your gut, "we've got enough iron now, close the doors." Those doors can stay partially closed for about a day or more. So, if you take another iron tablet the next day, your body may not absorb it efficiently. But if you leave a gap day, hepcidin levels drop, and your gut is ready to absorb iron again. In this study, women with low iron stores absorbed more iron when supplements were taken on alternate days. Researchers also found that taking iron in one dose worked better than splitting it throughout the day.'
He added: 'This is relevant for women with heavy periods, low ferritin levels, iron deficiency, endurance athletes, or those lacking iron in their diet.'
How do I know if I have low iron?
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include:
- tiredness and lack of energy
- shortness of breath
- noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- paler than usual skin
- headaches
Less common symptoms include:
- ringing, buzzing, or hissing noises inside your head (tinnitus)
- food tasting strange
- feeling itchy
- a sore tongue
- hair loss
- wanting to eat non-food items like paper or ice (pica)
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- painful open sores (ulcers) in the corners of your mouth
- nail changes, such as spoon-shaped nails
- restless legs syndrome
If you suspect low levels, book an appointment with your GP. They will discuss your lifestyle and medical history and perform a full blood count (FBC) test. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type, but the FBC also checks for other types like vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia.
What else did Dr Khan say?
'I don't want you to change your treatment if you've been prescribed something. Go and speak to your own healthcare professional because I don't know your full history. Particularly if you have significant iron deficiency, are pregnant, or have a medical condition affecting absorption, always follow your healthcare professional's advice. They know you better than I do. But for many women with uncomplicated iron deficiency, an alternate-day approach may improve absorption and often causes fewer side effects like constipation, bloating, and nausea. I thought I'd share it with you. It might be useful.'
Iron tablets are often prescribed for six months. Drinking orange juice after taking a tablet may help your body absorb the iron.
