- You may have iron-deficiency anaemia if your iron levels are low.
- It can happen for a variety of causes, such as not getting enough iron or losing blood.
- Getting iron supplements, eating iron rich foods are some of the ways to get your iron levels in control.
Iron-deficiency is the most typical type of anaemia. It happens when your body lacks iron, which is necessary for the production of haemoglobin. The remainder of your body cannot receive the necessary amount of oxygen when there is insufficient iron in the blood. Iron-deficiency anaemia may be common, yet many people are unaware they have it. Without being aware of the source, symptoms could persist for years. A prevalent cause of iron deficiency anaemia in women of reproductive age is a loss of iron in the blood brought on by a heavy period or pregnancy. Iron-deficiency anaemia can also be brought on by a poor diet or certain intestinal conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.
What should you look for when looking for symptoms of iron deficiency?
At first, iron-deficiency anaemia symptoms can be subtle, and you might not even be aware of them. The majority of people don’t recognise they have mild anaemia until they get a normal blood test, according to the American Society of Haematology (ASH).
Among the signs of mild to severe iron deficiency anaemia are:
- Overall weakness and weariness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Odd desires for unhealthy foods
- The sensation of the legs crawling or tingling
- Tongue enlargement or discomfort
- Quickly beating or erratic heartbeat
- Chilly hands and feet
- Broken nails
- Headaches
What are some of the treatments for iron deficiency?
The severity of the issue and what initially led to it will determine how your iron-deficiency anaemia is managed. A shortage of iron in your diet or issues with your body’s ability to absorb the iron you do consume are the most common causes of this illness. The possibilities for treatment are listed below.
Iron supplements
- Iron supplements can help your body’s iron levels return to normal. Iron supplements work best absorbed by the body when taken on an empty stomach, if at all possible.
- You can take them with meals if they make your stomach uncomfortable. The supplements may need to be taken for several months.
- Supplementing with iron may result in dark stools or constipation.
Diet
- Dietary iron insufficiency can be treated or avoided by including dark-green leafy veggies, red meat, and sundries and nuts grains containing iron into your diet.
- The body may also be helped in absorbing iron by vitamin C. A physician may advise taking iron supplements with a source of vitamin C, such as a glass of orange juice or citrus fruit, if you are taking iron supplements.
- You might also need to think about the foods and beverages you consume, such black tea, which might lower your iron levels or reduce your body’s ability to absorb iron.
Taking care of the underlying reason for the bleeding
- If excessive bleeding results in the deficit, iron pills won’t be as beneficial.
- Women who experience frequent bleeding may be given birth control pills by their doctor. Monthly menstrual bleeding may be lessened as a result.
- Surgery could be required to halt the bleeding if it is due to an internal issue, an injury, a tear, or another condition.
- Red blood cell transfusions or intravenous iron therapy can swiftly replenish iron and blood loss in the most severe circumstances.
What does this mean for you?
Iron-deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. It occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron. Potential causes include not eating enough iron-rich foods, blood loss due to menstruation, and inability to absorb iron. If you suspect you have an iron deficiency, see a doctor. They can diagnose anaemia with blood tests. Don’t try to diagnose and treat iron-deficiency anaemia by yourself. You could end up with too much iron in your blood which can cause other health conditions, including constipation and even liver damage.
