Assessing response to oral iron supplementation

It is common for patients to stop oral iron supplementation after a few weeks, which is inadequate to correct iron deficiency. If supplementation is stopped prematurely, iron deficiency will recur.

Continue therapy until iron stores have been replenished and the serum ferritin concentration has normalised—this usually takes 3 to 6 months. After at least 3 months of oral therapy, check the response to therapy by measuring haemoglobin and ferritinThe Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (RCH), January 2019 .

After the cause of iron deficiency is treated and iron stores are replete, stop therapy and measure iron status periodically. If the serum ferritin concentration is not maintained in the normal range, the patient may need further investigation—consider referring the patient to a gastroenterologist.

If the cause of iron deficiency cannot be corrected, long-term iron supplementation may be required.