always attempt to determine the cause of iron deficiency to ensure underlying malignancy or PU disease is excluded.
recommended daily iron intake depends upon age and gender:
pregnant women = 27mg/d
premenopausal women = 18mg/d
correcting iron deficiency anaemia takes 2-4 months of oral Rx assuming the underlying cause is managed, but replenishing stores takes another 3-6 months of oral Rx after Hb has returned to normal
confirm response to oral iron Rx by checking Hb in 3-4 weeks, it should have risen by 20g/L
parenteral iron can usually be avoided, but if needed, it should be given iv as im doses are painful, stain the skin and are poorly absorbed.