Iron Deficiency- Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

 

Iron is an important mineral that our body requires to maintain healthy blood. Iron-deficiency in our body is call Anemia. It is most common nutritional deficiencies in the world. It causes lightheadedness and extreme fatigue. It can affect all ages. Including pregnant, menstruating women, kidney dialysis people and children.

Iron Deficiency- Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

Iron is an important part of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein. It is present in red blood cells that helps to carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Without iron, there will be no red blood cells to transport oxygen, which causes fatigue. Myoglobin is a protein that helps to carry and stores oxygen in muscle tissues with the help of iron. Iron is very important for growth and healthy brain development in children. It plays an important role in the normal production and function of cells and hormones.

Iron is store in the spleen, muscle tissue, liver and bone marrow as ferritin. It is transfer throughout the body by transferrin (a protein present in blood that binds to iron). Sometimes if anemia is suspect a Doctor may check blood levels of these two components.

 In food Iron find in 2 forms;

1. Heme iron 
2. Non- Heme Iron

1. Heme iron is find only in animal flesh such as seafood, poultry, meat etc.
2. Non-Heme iron is find in plant foods such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. It is also found in fortified foods and animal flesh (as animals eat plants as foods which have non-heme iron)

 Signs and symptoms of Anemia

 Some of the signs and symptoms of Iron Deficiency anemia are;

1. Loss of concentration
2. Shortness of breath
3. Fatigue, weakness
4. Pale Skin
5. Lightheadedness
6. Sensitivity to cold
7. Hair loss,
8. Brittle nails
9. Depression.
10. A higher risk of infection.
11. Problems with pregnancy.
12. Heart problems.
13. Developmental delays in children.
14. Pica: cravings for non-food items such as clay, ice, brick etc.

Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Common causes of Anemia are;

1. Low Iron diet
2. The body can't able to absorb iron. This could be due to some medical conditions.
3. Frequent blood donations.
4. Pregnancy
5. Blood loss, due to medical conditions such as Hernia, Colon polyps etc.
6. Heavy periods. Women who have heavy periods can become low in iron.
7. Injuries. Any injury which loses blood can cause anemia.
8. Chronic health conditions
9. End-stage of kidney failure.
10. Medications, some medicine such as aspirin can cause internal gastrointestinal bleeding.

 Groups of people who are at Risk of Iron deficiency.

 The following groups are most likely to have iron deficiency.

1. Pregnant women
2. Infants and young children
3. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding
4. Frequent blood donors
5. People with cancer
6. People who have gastrointestinal disorders or have had gastrointestinal surgery
7. People with heart failure
8. Elderly
9. Vegetarians
10. Endurance athletes
11. People with chronic kidney failure on dialysis
    
    

Sources of Iron

Sources of heme iron:

1. Oysters, clams, mussels, Tuna
2. Beef or chicken liver
3. Organ meats
4. Canned sardines
5. Egg Beef
6. Poultry
7. Canned light tuna

Iron Deficiency- Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

Sources of non-heme iron:

1. Fortified breakfast cereals
2. Beans, Chickpeas
3. Dark Chocolate
4. Lentils
5. Spinach
6. Milk, Cheese
7. Mushrooms
8. Spaghetti
9. Broccoli 
10. Potato with skin
11. Nuts, seeds
12. Enriched rice or bread

Dietary supplements

Iron is available in many dietary supplements too.

Also Read,

• Vitamin-A
• Vitamin-B12-rich-fruits-vegetables
• Vitamin-D

Toxicity – Excess iron in the body

While only with diet toxicity is very rare. Because the body regulates iron absorption. Excessive iron occurs due to taking a high dosage of supplements than the body needed. Or a genetic condition that stores too much iron in the body. Hemochromatosis is a heredity condition that stores excessive iron in the body. Periodical treatments are give to remove excess iron in the blood. People suffering from hemochromatosis are recommend to avoid vitamin C supplements and a high-iron diet. If untreated, there is a chance of developing heart disease, liver cancer or liver cirrhosis.

Common signs of excessive iron on the body:

1. Abdominal Pain
2. Nausea, vomiting
3. Heartburn
4. Constipation
5. Upset stomach

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia

There are many tests to find out if you have iron deficiency anemia. 

1. Peripheral blood smear Test. To check the size and shape of red blood cells. If iron deficiency red blood cells are smaller than normal.
2. Serum iron test. To check how much iron is in the blood.
3. Complete Blood count (CBC) Test. To count red blood cell.
4. Reticulocyte Count Test. To check reticulocytes (immature red blood cells) in your blood. If you are anemic the reticulocyte count is low than normal due to not making new blood cells.
5. Transferrin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). To check how much of a transferrin (protein) is free to carry iron through the body.
6. Hemoglobin test. To check the amount of protein in the blood. If you are anemic, the hemoglobin will be low.
7. Ferritin test. To check how much iron is store in your body by measuring this protein.

 If blood tests are positive, then you need further tests to know the cause. 

1. Endoscopy - tube with a camera on one end to look inside the colon or esophagus. Endoscopy can find bleeding in the GI tract due to polyps, ulcers, or other growths.
2. Fecal Occult Blood test – Test to check the blood in poop. Due to cancer or other causes of bleeding in the intestines.
3. Pelvic Ultrasound or Uterine Biopsy - Test to check if the menstruation is normal than excess.

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Adding iron-rich food to your diet can prevent anemia. iron deficiency anemia can be treat by taking iron supplements too. A doctor will recommend a dose based on your iron levels. Taking vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. Have to take the supplements till the iron levels are normal.

 After a week Symptoms will go away. A test to do to check the blood anemia has improved.

 If supplements do not help then need a transfusion of red blood cells. Or need to be treat with medicines or surgery, if have a tumor, ulcer etc.

Iron Deficiency- Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

When to see a doctor

If you suspect the iron deficiency anemia, see your doctor immediately. Do not take any supplement without diagnosis. Iron deficiency anemia cannot be self-diagnosed or treated. Excess iron is dangerous in the body. Because excess iron can damage the liver and cause serious health complications

Disclaimer : This article is only meant for informational purposes. Must not be consider as a substitute for the advice provide by qualified medical professionals.