Iron deficiency and surgery

Having iron deficiency anemia before you go in for surgery can put you at a higher risk of needing a blood transfusion¹. So, if you are due to have an operation, it’s wise to tell your doctor so they can assess and treat any preoperative iron deficiency or anemia^2,3,4. Dealing with the issue early may optimize both the surgery outcome and your recovery.

The first step is to talk with your doctor. Does your medical history, current medications and the type of surgery increase your risk of bleeding more during the procedure? For example, patients with existing chronic inflammatory diseases or those undergoing chemotherapy have a higher risk of being iron deficient¹.

Anemia is problematic because it indicates insufficient red blood cells or not enough hemoglobin to transport vital oxygen to the body’s tissues. Left untreated, surgery may be delayed⁵ or a post-surgery blood transfusion might be needed which can slow down your recovery ⁶.

To Increase your iron stores by either taking medicines or having an infusion prior to surgery reduces the risk that you may need a blood transfusion during or after the surgery. Your doctor may prescribe you medications that contain iron in different forms, which include:

• Oral: tablets, capsules, drops or syrup
• Intravenous: infusion or injection directly into the bloodstream

Depending on the severity of your iron deficiency and anaemia, and the treatment your physician chooses, recovery times can differ.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines that affect your blood. They may ask you to change or stop some of the medicines you are taking. Some complementary medicines or supplements can interact with other medicines, so it’s best to bring a list of your current medication with you ahead of your surgery.

Your post-surgery recovery period will depend on factors including the seriousness of the operation and whether there is a risk of other complications, such as excessive blood loss.

While feeling weak and unwell are to be expected initially, post-surgery symptoms such as persistent fatigue⁷, headaches, breath shortage during normal physical activity⁷ and cold hands and feet⁸ may point to post-surgery iron deficiency. In this case, it might be helpful to talk to your doctor.