Oral Iron or IV Iron for Anemia: When Each Is Chosen and What the Visit Involves

The result comes back on a Tuesday afternoon, tucked into a patient portal message: ferritin low, hemoglobin low, a note that says “iron deficiency anemia, please book a follow-up.” By evening she has read three forums. One swears the tablets turned her stomach for months and did nothing. Another describes a single afternoon in an infusion chair and feeling like herself again within weeks. Both sound certain. Neither knows her history.

This is the quiet dilemma of oral iron vs IV iron. It rarely feels dramatic, yet it shapes months of daily life: whether you swallow a tablet each day and watch your blood counts creep upward, or sit for a drip and let the iron arrive all at once. The medical answer is not that one route is better. It is that each route fits a different body, a different cause and a different clock.

What follows is the reasoning clinicians actually use, the visit as it really unfolds, and the honest trade-offs that forum posts tend to leave out.

Oral iron vs IV iron: how the decision is usually made

Iron deficiency anemia means the body lacks enough iron to build hemoglobin, the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. The World Health Organization estimates anemia affects about 40% of children under five, 37% of pregnant women and 30% of women aged 15 to 49 worldwide, and iron deficiency is the most common cause (WHO). So this is not a rare puzzle; it is one of medicine’s most frequent conversations.

The choice between routes rests on four questions, asked in roughly this order. First, what is causing the deficiency, and is it still happening? Heavy periods, a bleeding stomach ulcer or a low-iron diet each lead somewhere different. Second, can the gut absorb iron? Conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or previous stomach surgery can blunt absorption before a tablet has any chance. Third, how fast does the iron need to arrive? A person three weeks from a major operation is on a different timeline from someone whose only symptom is mild fatigue. Fourth, has oral iron already been tried properly, and what happened?

Guidelines from the NHS and mainstream clinical bodies describe oral iron as the usual starting point because it works for most people and carries few serious risks (NHS). IV iron, meaning iron delivered directly into a vein, is reserved for situations where tablets are unlikely to succeed, have already failed, or would be too slow.

The decision is not a verdict on you. Someone moved to IV iron has not “failed”; their body simply needs a different delivery route. And the person handed tablets has not been fobbed off; they are being offered the option with the longest safety record. Both routes end in the same place if the underlying cause is also addressed, which is the point most easily forgotten.

What actually happens when you swallow an iron tablet

Oral iron sounds simple: take iron, gain iron. The biology is more grudging than that. Only a fraction of the iron in a tablet is absorbed, and the absorption happens almost entirely in the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum, just past the stomach (NIH ODS).

A hormone called hepcidin acts as the gatekeeper. Hepcidin is made by the liver and tells the gut how much iron to let through. When iron stores are low, hepcidin falls and the gate opens wider. When inflammation is present, whether from infection, autoimmune disease or chronic kidney disease, hepcidin rises and the gate closes, regardless of how many tablets pass by (NIH ODS). This is the central reason oral iron underperforms in inflammatory conditions, and why a clinician may skip straight to IV iron for someone with active Crohn’s disease or heart failure.

Unabsorbed iron does not simply vanish. It travels onward through the bowel, where it can irritate the lining and feed changes in gut bacteria. That leftover iron is the source of the constipation, nausea, cramping and dark stools people describe. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found that ferrous sulfate, a common oral iron form, roughly doubled the odds of gastrointestinal side effects compared with placebo, and roughly tripled them compared with IV iron (Tolkien et al., PubMed).

Food matters too. Calcium, tea, coffee and some antacids reduce absorption, while vitamin C can improve it (MedlinePlus). None of this makes tablets a poor choice. It explains why they ask for patience, why the way they are taken matters, and why the prescribing clinician’s instructions about timing deserve more attention than the label suggests.

How IV iron works and why it bypasses the gut

Intravenous iron skips the duodenum and its hepcidin gate entirely. The iron is bound inside a carbohydrate shell, a tiny sugar-based coating that keeps free iron from circulating loose, and is dripped into a vein. Cells of the immune system in the liver, spleen and bone marrow take up these particles, unpack the iron and store it as ferritin, the body’s iron reserve protein, or hand it to the marrow to make hemoglobin.

Because absorption is not the bottleneck, IV iron can deliver in one or two sessions what tablets might take months to achieve, and it does so even when inflammation is high (Mayo Clinic). That is its defining advantage: certainty of delivery, on a predictable timeline, independent of the gut.

Several generic formulations exist, including iron sucrose, ferric carboxymaltose, ferric derisomaltose and ferumoxytol. They differ mainly in how much iron each session can carry and how quickly it can be given. Older high-molecular-weight iron dextran products were associated with rare severe reactions; modern products are considered safer, though no injectable iron is free of risk (Mayo Clinic). Which product is used, and how it is given, is a clinical decision that depends on the person and on local protocols. This article does not recommend any of them.

One mechanism worth knowing: some formulations, particularly ferric carboxymaltose, can raise a hormone called FGF23, which makes the kidneys lose phosphate. Low phosphate in the blood is called hypophosphatemia. It is usually mild and temporary, but it can cause bone pain or muscle weakness, especially after repeated courses, and it is one reason follow-up blood tests are sometimes ordered (NIH ODS).

Who is usually offered oral iron first, and who is usually moved to IV

Most adults with iron deficiency anemia and a working gut are started on oral iron. This includes people with heavy periods, a low-iron diet, or a cause that has already been fixed, such as a treated ulcer or polyp. Tablets are also the standard starting point in most pregnancies, in adolescents and in people whose anemia is mild and not urgent (NHS).

Clinicians usually consider IV iron in the following groups, and the reasoning differs for each.

• People who cannot tolerate tablets. If nausea, cramping or constipation are severe enough that doses are being skipped, the tablet is not working in any practical sense.
• People whose gut cannot absorb iron. Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, bariatric surgery or long-term acid-suppressing medicines can all limit uptake.
• People with ongoing inflammation. Chronic kidney disease, especially on dialysis, and heart failure with iron deficiency are settings where guidelines commonly favor IV iron because hepcidin blocks oral absorption (Mayo Clinic).
• People with a deadline. Major surgery ahead, or the later stage of pregnancy, when there is not enough time for tablets to rebuild stores.
• People whose blood loss outpaces tablets. Heavy menstrual bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding that is being investigated.

Who is usually asked to wait? Someone with an active infection may have IV iron postponed, since free iron can feed bacterial growth. A person in the first trimester of pregnancy is generally offered oral iron first, because safety data for IV products are more limited early in pregnancy (NHS). And anyone whose oral trial was short or taken alongside tea, calcium or antacids may be asked to try again properly before moving on. None of these are refusals; they are sequencing decisions made by the treating team.

Oral iron vs IV iron at a glance

People ask for a simple comparison, and a table is the honest way to give one, as long as each row is understood as typical rather than guaranteed. Individual results depend on the cause of the deficiency, the person’s health and whether bleeding has stopped.

Feature	Oral iron	IV iron
Where it is taken	At home, daily or as prescribed	Clinic or hospital infusion unit
Number of sessions	None; ongoing tablets for months (Mayo Clinic)	Usually one to a few visits, set by the team
Depends on gut absorption	Yes; blocked by inflammation and some foods	No
Most common side effects	Constipation, nausea, cramps, dark stools (MedlinePlus)	Headache, flushing, nausea, joint aches, temporary low phosphate (NIH ODS)
Serious reactions	Rare; accidental overdose in children is the main danger (NIH ODS)	Rare severe allergic-type reactions; monitored during and after infusion
Time to feel better	Often within a week or so, with stores rebuilding over months (Mayo Clinic)	Similar early improvement; stores refilled faster
Usual place in guidelines	First-line for most people	Second-line, or first-line in specific conditions

Two rows deserve emphasis. The “time to feel better” row is closer than many expect: both routes can ease fatigue within weeks, because early symptom relief comes from the first new red cells rather than from full stores. The difference is how quickly the reserve tank fills. And the “serious reactions” row cuts both ways. IV iron carries a small risk of a severe reaction that tablets do not, while oral iron carries a real risk of poisoning if a child finds the bottle, a leading cause of pediatric poisoning deaths historically (NIH ODS).

What the IV iron visit involves

The infusion visit is usually less eventful than people imagine, but knowing the sequence removes most of the anxiety. You will typically be asked about allergies, previous reactions to any iron product, asthma, eczema or other allergic conditions, current infections and pregnancy. Some units check blood pressure, pulse and temperature before starting.

A nurse places a small cannula, a thin plastic tube, into a vein in the hand or forearm. The iron is either injected slowly over minutes or diluted into a bag and dripped over a longer period, depending on the product; the team will tell you what to expect for yours. Eating beforehand is usually fine and often encouraged, since an empty stomach can make lightheadedness more likely.

During the infusion, staff watch for flushing, itching, chest tightness, back pain or a racing heart. A brief flushing episode or mild joint ache is not unusual and often settles on its own or with a short pause. After the drip finishes, most units keep people for an observation period before they leave, because delayed reactions, though uncommon, can occur.

One practical warning worth taking seriously: if iron leaks out of the vein into the surrounding tissue, called extravasation, it can leave a brown stain on the skin that may persist for a long time. Tell the nurse immediately if you feel stinging, swelling or coolness around the cannula (Mayo Clinic).

Most people drive themselves home and return to normal activity the same day. A follow-up blood test is usually scheduled several weeks later to check hemoglobin, ferritin and, with some products, phosphate levels (NIH ODS). Bring a list of your medicines and any supplements; oral iron is sometimes paused around the infusion, and only the prescribing clinician should make that call.

Iron infusion side effects: what is the downside of an iron infusion?

The downside is not one thing; it is a cluster of small and rare risks that together explain why IV iron is not handed out as a first resort. Being honest about them is more useful than either alarm or reassurance.

The common effects are mild and short-lived: headache, a metallic taste, nausea, flushing, dizziness, and muscle or joint aches that can appear a day or two later and last a few days. Some people describe a flu-like feeling for 24 to 48 hours. These reactions are uncomfortable rather than dangerous and generally pass without treatment (Mayo Clinic).

Low blood phosphate, hypophosphatemia, is the effect most often overlooked in consumer articles. It is more common with ferric carboxymaltose than with some other formulations, and repeated courses raise the likelihood. Symptoms include bone pain, muscle weakness and fatigue that may be mistaken for the anemia itself. Persistent low phosphate over months can soften bone. This is why teams sometimes check phosphate before repeat infusions (NIH ODS).

Severe hypersensitivity reactions, sometimes called anaphylaxis, are rare with modern products but real. Anaphylaxis is a rapid, whole-body allergic reaction causing breathing difficulty, swelling and a fall in blood pressure. It is the reason infusions are given where resuscitation equipment is available and why observation afterward is standard (Mayo Clinic).

Skin staining from extravasation, described above, is uncommon but can be permanent. And infections may worsen if IV iron is given during an active infection, which is why teams ask about fevers before treating.

Set against these, the downside of tablets is a months-long commitment with gut side effects that lead many people to stop. Neither list is trivial. The clinician’s job is to match the list to the person.

Why don't doctors like iron infusions? The honest answer

This question turns up constantly in search, and it reflects real frustration: people who have struggled with tablets for months and cannot understand the reluctance to move on. The reluctance, where it exists, has several sources, some medical and some practical.

Medically, the guideline logic is straightforward. Oral iron works for most people, has decades of safety data, and can be taken at home. Any treatment given into a vein, however safe, carries a small risk that a tablet does not, so clinicians are trained to reach for the lower-risk option first when it is likely to work (NHS). A clinician who suggests tablets is following that principle, not dismissing your symptoms.

There is also a diagnostic reason. If oral iron does not raise hemoglobin after a proper trial, that failure is information. It may point to malabsorption that needs its own investigation, to ongoing bleeding that has not been found, or to a different cause of anemia altogether. Jumping to IV iron can mask a problem that still needs attention.

Practically, infusion chairs, nursing time and monitoring are finite. Many health systems restrict IV iron to defined criteria for that reason. This is a system constraint rather than a judgment about any individual.

And there is history. Older iron dextran products had a reputation for dangerous reactions that shaped a generation of practice. Modern formulations are considered much safer, and many specialties, including nephrology, cardiology and obstetrics, now use IV iron routinely (Mayo Clinic). Attitudes have shifted, unevenly.

If you have genuinely tried tablets and cannot continue, say so plainly, describe what happened, and ask what the alternatives are. That conversation, rather than a forum, is where the decision belongs.

What is the healthiest form of iron to take?

There is no single healthiest form, and any product that claims to be one is overreaching. What the evidence supports is a few principles.

Iron in food comes in two forms. Heme iron, found in meat, poultry and fish, is absorbed more efficiently. Non-heme iron, found in beans, lentils, spinach, fortified cereals and also in most supplements, is absorbed less well and is more affected by what is eaten alongside it (NIH ODS). A diet rich in both, paired with vitamin C sources, is the foundation for anyone, and for people with mild deficiency and no bleeding it may be part of the plan the clinician suggests.

Among supplements, the common ferrous salts, such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate, deliver similar amounts of absorbable iron and have the longest track record. Products marketed as gentler, including iron bisglycinate, polysaccharide iron complexes and slow-release tablets, may cause fewer gut symptoms for some people, but the evidence that they raise hemoglobin as reliably is mixed, and slow-release forms can carry iron past the duodenum where absorption happens (NIH ODS). “Gentle” is not automatically “effective.”

Research also suggests that how often iron is taken affects absorption because of hepcidin’s daily rhythm. Taking iron less frequently than once a day is being studied and is now part of some clinical advice, but the right pattern for you is a prescribing decision, not something to adjust alone (NIH ODS).

Two safety points matter more than any product choice. Never take iron supplements without a confirmed deficiency, since iron builds up and can damage the liver and heart in people with conditions such as hemochromatosis. And keep every iron product away from children, for whom even a few adult tablets can be dangerous (NIH ODS).

How long does oral iron take to work, and what the following weeks look like

Timelines are where expectations most often go wrong, so here are the typical ranges from mainstream sources, understood as patterns rather than promises.

With oral iron, the marrow responds within days, but you will not feel it immediately. Many people notice improved energy and less breathlessness after a week or so (Mayo Clinic). Hemoglobin, the number on the blood test, usually starts climbing within a few weeks, and a follow-up test is often arranged around then to confirm the tablets are being absorbed. Refilling iron stores, measured as ferritin, takes far longer. The Mayo Clinic notes that supplements may be needed for several months or longer to replenish reserves, and the NHS describes continuing treatment for months after hemoglobin returns to normal so that stores can rebuild (Mayo Clinic; NHS). Stopping early, when symptoms lift but ferritin is still low, is the most common way people end up anemic again.

The first days on tablets can be the roughest for the gut. Constipation and nausea often ease over the first couple of weeks as the body adjusts; if they do not, the prescribing clinician may suggest a different form or timing rather than abandoning the approach.

With IV iron, the early experience is different but the marrow’s timeline is similar. Some people feel fatigue or aches for a day or two after the infusion, then a gradual lift over the following weeks as new red cells are released. Because stores are refilled up front, ferritin may look high on an early test; clinicians typically wait several weeks before checking, since ferritin measured too soon simply reflects the infused iron rather than true reserves (NIH ODS).

Either way, the weeks that follow should include one more conversation: what caused the deficiency, and has that been dealt with?

Do you need oral iron after IV iron?

Sometimes yes, often no, and the answer depends on why the iron ran low in the first place rather than on the infusion itself.

If the cause has been removed, such as a polyp that was bleeding and has been treated, or a pregnancy that has ended and periods that have returned to normal, a full IV course may refill stores completely, and no further iron is needed. Follow-up blood tests confirm this over the following months.

If the cause continues, the picture changes. Someone with heavy menstrual bleeding that has not yet been controlled, or with inflammatory bowel disease that flares, or on long-term dialysis, loses or fails to absorb iron continuously. For these people, an infusion is a top-up rather than a permanent fix, and the team may plan either repeat infusions at intervals or a return to oral iron for maintenance once the gut is calm enough to use it (Mayo Clinic). The route chosen for maintenance is a separate decision from the route chosen for repletion.

Taking oral iron in the days immediately around an infusion is generally not useful. When circulating iron is high, hepcidin rises and shuts the gut gate, so tablets are largely wasted and add only side effects. Many clinicians pause oral iron before and after IV treatment for this reason, though this is their call, not the patient’s.

Three things help the decision. Know the cause of your deficiency. Attend the follow-up blood test, usually several weeks after infusion, rather than assuming the job is done. And ask directly: “Is this a one-time correction, or will I need ongoing iron, and in what form?” A clear answer to that question prevents the cycle of feeling better, stopping, and slowly slipping back.

What people often get wrong about iron treatment

Myths around iron are stubborn because many contain a grain of truth. Here are the ones that cause the most trouble, and what the evidence actually shows.

“IV iron is stronger, so it must be better.” IV iron is faster and more certain to be delivered, not stronger in effect. For a person with a healthy gut and no deadline, tablets reach the same destination with fewer procedural risks (NHS).

“Feeling better means I can stop the tablets.” Symptom relief arrives long before stores are refilled. The NHS and Mayo Clinic both describe continuing treatment for months after hemoglobin normalizes (NHS; Mayo Clinic). Stopping at the first good week is the classic route to relapse.

“Dark stools mean something is wrong.” Unabsorbed oral iron blackens stool; this is expected and harmless (MedlinePlus). Black stool that is tarry, sticky and foul-smelling when you are not taking iron is a different matter and needs urgent attention.

“Spinach will fix it.” Spinach contains non-heme iron and also compounds that limit its absorption. Diet supports treatment; it rarely reverses established anemia on its own (NIH ODS).

“Iron supplements are harmless, so I’ll take them just in case.” Iron accumulates. Taking it without a confirmed deficiency can harm the liver and heart, especially in people with inherited iron-overload conditions, and it masks the question of why you feel tired (NIH ODS).

“One infusion and I’m done forever.” Only if the cause is gone. Ongoing bleeding or malabsorption means ongoing iron loss.

“Anemia is always iron deficiency.” Low vitamin B12, folate, kidney disease, thalassemia and bone marrow conditions all cause anemia, and iron will not help any of them. This is why the workup matters as much as the treatment.

Questions to ask your care team

A good consultation about oral iron vs IV iron is a two-way exchange. These questions tend to produce the most useful answers, and writing them down before the visit helps when time is short.

• What is causing my iron deficiency, and has that cause been found and addressed? If not, what tests are planned?
• Why are you recommending this route for me specifically? What would make you change to the other one?
• If I start tablets, how will we know whether they are working, and when will my blood be rechecked?
• If I am having an infusion, which product will be used, how many visits are expected, and what monitoring or follow-up blood tests will follow?
• Should I continue, pause or stop any current iron supplement around the infusion?
• What side effects should I expect in the first few days, and which ones should prompt a call?
• Do I need a phosphate check afterward?
• How long will treatment continue after my hemoglobin returns to normal, and what ferritin level are we aiming for?
• Are any of my other medicines or supplements likely to interfere with iron absorption?
• If this is a one-time correction, what are the signs that the deficiency is returning, and how often should I be tested?

Notice that nearly half of these questions are about cause rather than route. That is deliberate. Iron replaces what has been lost; it does not stop the loss. A clinician who welcomes these questions is doing exactly what guidelines ask, and the answers will tell you far more about your situation than any general article can. Bring a partner or friend if it helps you remember; infusion units and clinics are used to it.

When to call your doctor

Most iron treatment, by either route, passes without incident. A small number of situations need prompt attention, and knowing them in advance means you will not hesitate.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department immediately if, during or after an infusion, you develop difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, a widespread rash or hives, severe chest pain, a feeling of faintness or collapse, or a racing heart with dizziness. These can be signs of a severe allergic-type reaction and need urgent treatment (Mayo Clinic). The same urgency applies if a child has swallowed any iron tablets, even if they seem well; iron poisoning can be delayed and severe (NIH ODS).

Contact your care team the same day if you have a fever after an infusion, pain, swelling, redness or discoloration spreading from the cannula site, severe or worsening headache, or bone pain and muscle weakness that appear in the weeks after treatment, which can signal low phosphate.

Contact your care team soon if oral iron causes vomiting, severe abdominal pain or constipation that does not respond to the measures they suggested, if you are unable to keep taking it, or if you notice no improvement in energy after several weeks.

Seek care whether or not you are on iron if you pass black, tarry, sticky stools when you are not taking iron tablets, vomit blood or material resembling coffee grounds, notice blood in your stool or urine, have unexplained weight loss, or develop shortness of breath at rest, chest pain or palpitations. These are red flags for bleeding or for a more significant anemia and need assessment (NHS).

None of this replaces the judgment of your treating team, who know your history and results. When in doubt, call.

Frequently asked questions

Iron infusion vs iron pills: which one works faster?

IV iron refills iron stores faster because it bypasses gut absorption and delivers a full course in one or a few visits. Symptom relief, however, arrives on a similar timeline for both routes, often within a week or so, because it depends on the bone marrow releasing new red cells rather than on how full the reserve is. Tablets typically take months to rebuild stores, while infusions do so up front.

Why don't doctors like iron infusions?

Most clinicians start with tablets because guidelines favor the lower-risk option that works for most people, and because failure of oral iron is useful diagnostic information that may reveal malabsorption or hidden bleeding. Infusions also carry a small risk of severe reactions and require clinic time and monitoring. Many specialties now use IV iron routinely where it is indicated, so reluctance varies and is worth discussing openly.

What is the downside of having an iron infusion?

Common downsides are mild: headache, flushing, nausea, and joint or muscle aches for a day or two. Less common effects include low blood phosphate, which can cause bone pain and weakness and is more frequent with certain formulations, and permanent brown skin staining if iron leaks from the vein. Rare but serious allergic-type reactions are why infusions are given with monitoring and an observation period.

Do you need oral iron after IV iron?

Not always. If the cause of the deficiency has been fixed, a full IV course may refill stores and no further iron is needed. If losses continue, for example from heavy periods, bowel disease or dialysis, the team may plan repeat infusions or a return to tablets for maintenance. Oral iron taken right around an infusion is largely unabsorbed, so clinicians often pause it; follow their instructions.

What is the healthiest form of iron to take?

No single form is healthiest. Ferrous salts such as ferrous sulfate, gluconate and fumarate have the longest track record and deliver similar absorbable iron. Products marketed as gentler may cause fewer gut symptoms, but evidence that they raise hemoglobin as reliably is mixed. Food iron from meat, fish, beans and fortified cereals supports treatment. Never take iron without a confirmed deficiency, and keep it away from children.

Is an iron infusion during pregnancy safe?

IV iron is used in pregnancy, usually from the second trimester onward, when tablets are not tolerated, are not working, or when anemia is significant and time is short before delivery. Oral iron remains the usual first choice, and IV products are generally avoided in the first trimester because safety data are more limited early on. The obstetric team weighs the severity of anemia against timing and alternatives.

How long does oral iron take to work?

Many people notice more energy after a week or so, and hemoglobin usually begins rising within a few weeks, which is when a follow-up blood test is often arranged. Refilling iron stores takes far longer; the Mayo Clinic and NHS describe continuing supplements for several months or longer after hemoglobin returns to normal. Stopping as soon as symptoms lift is the most common reason anemia comes back.

What happens if IV iron leaks out of the vein?

Leakage into surrounding tissue, called extravasation, can cause stinging, swelling and a brown skin stain that may fade slowly or persist. It is uncommon and not dangerous, but the discoloration can be permanent, so tell the nurse immediately if you feel pain, coolness or swelling near the cannula during the infusion. Staff will stop the drip and reassess the site before continuing.

Can I eat before an iron infusion, and can I drive home afterward?

Eating a normal meal beforehand is usually fine and often encouraged, since an empty stomach can increase lightheadedness. Most people drive themselves home and resume ordinary activity the same day after the observation period. If you have had reactions to iron products before, or feel unwell after the infusion, tell the team; they may suggest someone accompany you. Follow any specific instructions your unit provides.

Why does my ferritin look high right after an infusion?

Ferritin measured within days or the first weeks of an IV iron course mostly reflects the infused iron still being processed, not true stored reserves. Clinicians usually wait several weeks before rechecking so the result is meaningful. A high early reading is expected and not a sign of overload. The follow-up test, alongside hemoglobin and sometimes phosphate, is what guides any decision about further treatment.

References

• NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia
• MedlinePlus: Taking iron supplements
• WHO: Anaemia fact sheet
• PubMed: Ferrous sulfate supplementation causes significant gastrointestinal side-effects in adults, a systematic review and meta-analysis

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.