Is iron treatment related to weight gain in female patients with iron deficiency anemia?

Objectives To assess the relationship between iron treatments and to gain weight in the female patients. Materials and methods This study was conducted prospectively between 2013 and 2014 to assess the relationship between iron treatments and to gain weight in the female patients who were admitted to hematology clinic, Ministry of Health İstanbul Research Hospital with a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and iron therapy between the ages of 18 and 50 and signed informed consent. Results After 3 months of iron therapy, significant hemoglobin (Hgb) increase was observed in 30 of 33 patients. Weight gain and Hgb increase have not been found in three patients. Hgb increases in patients who gained weight more than 3 kg were found to be statistically significant than patients who gained weight 3 kg or less (P = 0.008). Conclusion Obesity and metabolic syndrome are current health problems in terms of mortality and morbidity. Weight gain related to iron therapy is a common problem in female patients with iron deficiency anemia. Patients under iron therapy should be counseled in terms of weight gain complication and benefits of diet and followed up serum ferritin and Hgb levels to prevent prolonged iron therapy. Physicians should pay attention to patients who do not gain weight without dieting.