RESUMO
BACKGROUND: It is known that daily divided doses and high doses of iron increase hepcidin and reduce iron absorption. AIM: This study aimed to compare treatments of iron replacement every other day at low doses, once a day and twice a day in terms of their effectiveness and frequencies of side effects. METHODS: For a month, Group I received 270 mg ferrous sulphate twice a day (total elemental iron dose: 160 mg/day), Group II received 270 mg ferrous sulphate once a day (total elemental iron dose: 80 mg/day), and Group III received 270 mg ferrous sulphate every other day (total elemental iron dose: 80 mg/every other day). Intragroup and intergroup statistical analyses were carried out. RESULTS: Haemoglobin (Hb) increased significantly in all three groups (P = 0.00). The increase in Hb levels was similar among the groups (P = 0.09). Ferritin significantly increased in all three groups after the treatment (P = 0.00). The increase in ferritin in Group I was significantly higher than those in Groups II and III (P < 0.05). Gastrointestinal tract (GIS) side effects were also significantly higher in Group I in comparison to the others (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A low-dosage of iron treatment every other day may be used in the place of providing iron once or twice every day with similar effectiveness and lower rates of GIS side effects.