Before treatment is commenced the cause of blood loss must be diagnosed. Iron may be given orally or parenterally. The rate of haemoglobin response is not faster when iron is given parenterally and therefore the rapid cure of the anaemia is not met. Iron dextran can be given as a course of intramuscular injections or in selected cases as a total dose infusion given intravenously over 6 - 8 hours. Indications for parenteral therapy:

(1) Malabsorption

(2) Genuine intolerance to oral therapy

(3) Uncooperative patient Oral iron therapy involves use of simple iron salts which are the most economical and contain the highest dosages of iron. Maximum iron absorption occurs in the duodenum and prolonged release preparations often deliver iron to parts of the small intestine where absorption is poor. These preparations have no therapeutic advantage to justify their cost. Iron should be prescribed three (3) times daily after meals to (avoid gastric intolerance). The need is to supply 150 - 200 mg of elemental iron daily.