How is iron deficiency treated?
If your child does have iron deficiency anemia, there are treatments available to help. Treatment starts with an iron rich diet, but this may not be enough to correct anemia once it has developed. Your child may also need to take an iron supplement for several months, which are described further in our Patient’s Guide to Oral Iron. The CDC recommends an iron dosage of 60 mg of elemental iron, 1-2 times per day, for adolescents with anemia. If you are concerned that your teenager is anemic or is not getting enough iron, be sure to talk with their doctor. To learn more about normal iron levels for children, visit our Diagnosing Anemia section on our FAQs page. To learn more about heavy menstrual bleeding, read our feature article, Women and Anemia – Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Fibroids. For more healthy eating tips, read our feature article about The Importance of Iron in Nutrition.