hematinic

hematinic, any vitamin or other substance that serves as a building block in the formation of blood components, particularly hemoglobin and red blood cells. In many instances anemia and related conditions result from deficiencies in hematinics, most commonly iron, vitamin B₁₂, or folic acid. As therapeutic agents, hematinics differ from erythropoietic drugs, which directly stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

Hematinics such as iron, vitamin B₁₂, and folic acid may be obtained from dietary sources or be taken as medications in oral or injectable form. Each of these agents supports different stages of red blood cell synthesis and maturation. Iron, for example, is the primary component of hemoglobin, the molecule that binds and transports oxygen. Vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid are vital to DNA synthesis and cell division; without them, red blood cells become large and immature, a condition known as megaloblastic anemia. Thus, by restoring adequate levels of hematinics, oxygen transport in the body improves and symptoms of anemia, which include fatigue, pallor, and weakness, are alleviated.