Iron supplementation: oral tablets versus intramuscular injection.
Non-anemic, iron depleted women were randomly assigned to an injection group (IG) or oral group (OG) to assess which method is more efficient for increasing iron stores over a short time period. IG received a course of 5 x 2 mL intramuscular injections over 10 d, and OG received one tablet daily for 30 d. Fourteen, 21 and 28 d after commencing supplementation, ferritin concentration in OG significantly increased from baseline (means +/- standard error: 27 +/- 3 to 40 +/- 5 to 41 +/- 5 to 41 +/- 5 microg/L; P < 0.01). Similarly, on days 15, 20, and 28 post the first injection, ferritin concentration in IG significantly increased from baseline (means +/- standard error: 20 +/- 2 to 71 +/- 17 to 63 +/- 11 to 63 +/- 7 microg/L; P < 0.01), and was also significantly greater than OG at day 15 and 28 (P < 0.05). Iron injections are significantly more effective (both in time and degree of increase) in improving ferritin levels over 30 d than oral tablets.
Dawson
Brian
B
School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, the University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
Goodman
Carmel
C
Blee
Tanya
T
Claydon
Gary
G
Peeling
Peter
P
Beilby
John
J
Prins
Alex
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron