If you have iron-deficiency anemia, taking iron orally or getting iron administered intravenously along with vitamin C is often the fastest way to raise your iron levels.

Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells, which helps the RBCs carry oxygen to organs and other tissues of the body. Lack of irondisrupts this process, and insufficient oxygen supply can make you feel tired and short of breath during physical activities.

Your doctor will first try to identify the cause and severity of your anemia and then recommend the right treatment for you. Depending on your blood tests (including hemoglobin level, red blood cell count, etc.), your doctor may recommend eating iron-rich foods and vitamin C-rich foods instead of prescribing an iron supplement. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be needed.