Abstract

Iron-deficiency anaemia will develop in half the males and nearly all females after partial gastrectomy, and in addition to causing the anaemia the sideropenia may cause any general symptoms such as lassitude, failure to maintain weight, or dumping symptoms.

The variable response to treatment is due to the fact that ferrous iron is not adequately released from coated tablets taken after meals and rapidly emptied from the gastric remnant. Treatment with chelated iron is more reliable, and one tablet taken on lying down each night is adequate in the treatment of mild anaemia and for its prevention in women during the reproductive life.