First sign of improvement in oral iron therapy is ?: (A) Reticulocytosis, (B) Raise of hemoglobin, (C) Increase in ESR, (D) Raise in RBC
Answer is A. In oral Fe therapy in Fe deficiency anemia there will be initial reticulocytosis followed by Hb rise by 10g/L/week continue until Hb is normal for 3 mnths. Table 2 Traditional oral iron preparations (ferrous iron salts) Drug Content in elementary iron Ferrous sulphate (FS) Can vary by manufacturer in different countries, generally 20-30% of total mg of mineral salt. Examples: 105 mg in 330 mg FS tablets (Europe); 65 mg in 325 mg FS tablets (US) 15 mg/ml pediatric drops (US) 60 mg/5 ml syrup (US) Ferrous glycine sulphate 100 mg in 567 mg tablets Ferrous gluconate (FG) Generally less than FS (10-14% of total mg of mineral salt) 80 mg in 695 effervescent tablets (EU); 27 mg in 240 mg FG tablets (US); Ferrous fumarate (FF) Generally 33% of total mg of mineral salt Examples: 29.5 mg in 90 mg FF tablets; 106 mg in 325 mg FF tablets Ref : oxfords handbook of clinical medicine pg :320 Ref robbins 9/e p419