In certain cases, such as in gastrointestinal malabsorption syndromes, it may be necessary to give parenteral iron. Since it may produce anaphylactic shock, it needs to be given under direct physician supervision. Transfusion, which immediately restores all iron stores, is very dangerous in chronically anemic patients because of the demand this new blood volume puts upon the already taxed heart. This is rarely indicated for iron-deficiency anemia. Since excess iron in the body can generate massive free radical reactions, supplemental iron to correct an iron deficiency should be used sparingly.
Some people mistakenly continue taking iron supplements long after a deficient state is corrected.
The penalty for overloading the body with too much iron is dramatically increased risks of cancer, heart disease, and neurological degeneration. Other Nutritional Approaches Anemia and associated diseases compromise the oxygen-transport capabilities of red blood cells and the normal immune function of both red and white blood cells due to increased adhesion, reduction, or malfunction. The most important of these processes are cellular respiration, cellular utilization of oxygen, DNA and RNA reproduction, maintenance of cell membrane integrity, and sequestration of free radicals. Patients have an increased risk of infection, since the neutrophils play an important role in the defense against bacterial and certain fungal infections. Treatment strategies may include reducing or eliminating anti-HIV drugs and other conventional therapies that suppress bone marrow production of blood cells.