Understanding Iron Deficiency Anemia to Minimize Risks

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Stay Strong & Boost Your Well-Being. Take proactive steps to Conquer Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron plays a vital role in the human body. It is essential in keeping individuals healthy and full of energy. Low iron levels are common. Therefore, it can cause severe symptoms like tiredness, poor concentration, and frequent bouts of illness. Research has shown that iron deficiency isn’t easy to detect, especially in its early stages. So if you’re experiencing mild or severe deficiency symptoms, then this article is for you. We have gathered all the information that will help you reverse a deficiency, especially if diet changes alone are unsuccessful. Without further delay, scroll down to start reading.

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a blood disorder. It’s a common form of anemia. This condition affects the red blood cells in the body. Iron deficiency anemia happens when the body has insufficient iron to make hemoglobin (A substance in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body). As a result, lower iron may cause an individual to feel short of breath or tired. Furthermore, iron deficiency is developed over time. If a person is diagnosed with iron deficiency, you may be prescribed iron supplements by your healthcare provider. The doctor will ask questions regarding your lifestyle and do tests to determine the cause of iron deficiency.

According to research, the WHO report showed that anemia affects around:

  • 30% of females ages 15-49
  • 37% of pregnant people
  • 40% of children ages 6-59 months

Who is More Prone to Develop Iron-deficiency Anemia?

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common condition and can develop in anyone. It not only affects women who have gone through menopause or men but to women who have menstrual cycles. Plus, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are more likely to develop iron-deficiency anemia. Listed below are some of the other groups of people who have an increased risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia:

  • Infants between ages 6 months and 12 months
  • Children between ages 1- 2 years
  • Teenagers
  • Adults over age 65
  • Individuals with chronic medical conditions including bone marrow disorders or autoimmune disorders.

Ways Iron-Deficiency Anemia is Diagnosed

Iron deficiency anemia is usually identified by blood tests. It includes a complete blood count (CBC). Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to evaluate the levels of serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and/or transferrin.

Listed below are the following symptoms shown from the iron deficiency test includes:

  • Low hemoglobin (Hg) and hematocrit (Hct)
  • Low mean cellular volume (MCV)
  • Low ferritin
  • Low serum iron (FE)
  • High transferrin or total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
  • Low iron saturation
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Healthy and Low Iron Studies In Adults

Iron, umol/L Normal 10 to 30
Iron-deficiency anemia Less than 10
Ferritin, ug/L Normal Men 40 to 300
Women 20 to 200
Iron-deficiency anemia Less than 10

Ways Iron-Deficiency Anemia Affects Body

Iron-deficiency anemia can have widespread effects on the body. It impacts various systems and functions. Here are some ways iron-deficiency anemia affects the body:

  • Pica
  • Pale Skin
  • Fatigue and Weakness
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Heart Problems
  • Dizziness and Headaches
  • Cold Hands and Feet
  • Brittle Nails and Hair Loss
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Increased Susceptibility to Infections
  • Poor Cognitive Function and Development
  • Glossitis and Mouth Sores
  • Irregular Heartbeat (Arrhythmia)
  • Chest Pain

Iron deficiency anemia requires proper medical attention to identify and treat the underlying cause. It can include dietary deficiencies, chronic blood loss, and absorption issues. Usually, doctors recommend treatments involving iron supplements and dietary changes to increase iron intake.

The Symptoms of Being Deficient in Iron

Iron deficiency symptoms may initially be mild but can develop over time. Plus, if not treated, it can even worsen, leading to severe health issues. Some of the most common iron deficiency symptoms include:

  • Fatigue.
  • Chills.
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Weakness.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Dizziness.
  • Bruises.
  • Pica (non-food items like ice, chalk, paint, clay or starch).
  • Headaches.
  • Restless legs syndrome.

Most Common Signs of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Some of the most common signs you may have iron deficiency may include:

  • Your nails can become brittle. It’s a condition called koilonychia.
  • You might notice cracks at the corners of your mouth.
  • Your skin becomes pale, or your skin is paler than usual.
  • Your tongue might hurt or feel sore at times.
  • You can experience cold hands with others.
iron deficiency

Common Complications of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

The common complications of iron deficiency anemia that a person can experience may include:

  • Increased risk of infections
  • Heart conditions
  • Developmental delay in children
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Depression

Ways People Develop Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia in an individual can be developed due to various factors beyond dietary insufficiency. Here are some additional causes of iron-deficiency anemia:

Ways People Develop Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia in an individual can be developed due to various factors beyond dietary insufficiency. Here are some additional causes of iron-deficiency anemia:

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Blood Loss: Blood loss is one of the most common reasons for iron deficiency. It can be due to heavy menstrual periods, bleeding in the digestive tract (often due to ulcers or cancer), or frequent blood donation.
Inability to Absorb Iron: Some severe surgeries like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or gastric bypass surgery can impair the body’s ability to absorb iron from food.
Pregnancy (Pregnant women): Pregnant women require more iron. It’s because the fetus takes its iron supply from the mother. If the mother’s diet is insufficient for iron or she’s unable to absorb iron properly, it can lead to iron-deficiency anemia in the baby.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Severe blood loss can occur when health conditions like gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or Helicobacter pylori infection can interfere with iron absorption.
Inflammatory Disorders: Whether it’s rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or any other chronic inflammatory condition, these conditions can affect the body’s ability to use iron.
Certain Medications: If a person is using medication such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for a long time, it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to iron deficiency.
Inherited or Acquired Disorders: Rare genetic disorders like hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) or acquired conditions like aplastic anemia can lead to iron-deficiency anemia.
Parasitic Infections: Parasitic infections, such as hookworm infection, can lead to chronic blood loss and iron deficiency.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin. It helps stimulate the production of red blood cells. However, chronic kidney disease can lead to decreased production of erythropoietin, resulting in anemia.

These factors highlight the importance of considering various aspects beyond diet when diagnosing and treating iron-deficiency anemia.

How can Iron Deficiency be Treated?

Though the cause of the iron deficiency can be identified and treated, yet still it is essential to take medicinal iron until the deficiency is corrected and the body’s iron stores are replenished. In some cases, if the cause of iron deficiency is not identified or corrected, the patient may be advised by the healthcare provider to receive iron supplements on an ongoing basis.

Best Ways to Increase Iron

There are numerous ways to increase iron intake:

Diet

  • Meat: Beef, pork, or lamb, especially organ meats such as liver
  • Poultry: Chicken, turkey, and duck, especially liver and dark meat
  • Seafood: Fish, especially shellfish, sardines, and anchovies.
  • Vegetables: Leafy green veggies including broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collard greens.
  • Legumes, including lima beans, peas, pinto beans, and black-eyed peas.
  • Iron-enriched pastas, grains, rice, and cereals

Iron Supplements

There are various iron supplements available. Some of the most commonly used are listed below:

COMMON BRAND NAME(S):

  • BeneHealth Ferrous Sulfate
  • Bifera, Duofer, EZFE
  • Feosol, Feosol Complete
  • Feosol Natural Release, Feratab, Ferate, Fergon
  • Ferretts, Ferrex 150, Ferrex-150, Ferric X-150, Ferrimin
  • Ferro-Sequels, Ferrocite, FerUS
  • Hemocyte, iFerex 150
  • Nephro-Fer, Niferex, NovaFerrum, Nu-Iron
  • Poly-Iron, ProFe, Proferrin ES
  • Slow Fe, Slow Iron, Tandem

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! You can reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia by taking iron-rich food and supplements.

To get your iron deficiency anemia test done at home, just give us a call at 800 AIMS 2467 or WhatsApp at +971 505 136 505. We are happy to serve you.

Secondary prevention of anemia involves iron supplementation and blood transfusion.

The two most important treatments for anemia are the following:

  • Iron supplements
  • Vitamin B12 supplements

The best drinks high in iron are :

  • Apple juice
  • Apricot nectar
  • Beef broth
  • Beet juice

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