Iron deficiency, one of the problems faced by many people in daily life, is one of the main reasons that negatively affects the quality of life.
Iron deficiency manifests itself with symptoms such as extreme fatigue, weakness, headache and is usually associated with blood loss. When you lose blood, you lose iron. If your body does not have enough iron stored to replace the lost iron, iron deficiency anemia occurs. This condition is not a disease, but an indication of other underlying health problems.
Factors causing iron deficiency:
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Heavy menstrual periods can cause iron loss.
- Folic Acid and B12 Deficiency: Lack of these vitamins, which are vital for the body, can negatively affect iron absorption.
- Excessive Consumption of Processed Foods: Lack of foods containing sufficient iron in the diet can lead to iron deficiency.
- Insufficient Stomach Acid Secretion: Insufficient stomach acid production can reduce iron absorption.
- Hereditary Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency conditions seen in the family history.
- Excessive Blood Loss: Excessive blood loss due to reasons such as stomach ulcer, hemorrhoids, accident.
- Consumption of Caffeinated Beverages: Beverages such as tea, coffee, and cola can reduce iron absorption.
- Drugs that Impair Absorption: Some drugs can prevent the absorption of iron by the body.
What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Red blood cells function to carry oxygen to body tissues. Iron deficiency anemia is a common subtype of anemia, which is the condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the blood[1].
As its name suggests, iron deficiency anemia is caused by insufficient amount of iron in the body. If the human body does not have enough iron, red blood cells cannot produce hemoglobin, the substance that allows them to carry oxygen to the parts of the body that need it. Iron deficiency anemia can leave the individual tired and suffering from shortness of breath as a direct result.
Under normal conditions, it is possible to correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplements. However, in some cases, especially in cases where internal bleeding is suspected, additional imaging and laboratory tests or treatment methods may be necessary to correct iron deficiency anemia.
How to diagnose:
A physician’s supervision is required to diagnose iron deficiency. Tests performed by the doctor are critical to finding the source of the problem and applying the correct treatment.
Other health problems underlying iron deficiency can also be detected through methods such as urine tests and medical imaging examinations.
Iron-deficiency anemia is diagnosed by blood tests that should include a complete blood count (CBC). Additional tests may be ordered to evaluate the levels of serum ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and/or transferrin. In an individual who is anemic from iron deficiency, these tests usually show the following results:
- 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
The peripheral smear or blood slide may show small, oval-shaped cells with pale centers. In severe iron deficiency, the white blood count (WBC) may be low and the platelet count may be high or low.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include extreme fatigue, weakness, an unusual desire to eat non-nutritive substances such as ice, dirt, or dust, general pain or inflammation, headache, dizziness, chest pain, fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath. , brittle nails, a feeling of coldness in the hands and feet, pale skin, and loss of appetite, especially in babies and children with iron deficiency anemia[2].
Individuals and doctors who show signs and symptoms suggestive of iron deficiency anemia should consult a doctor. Iron deficiency anemia is not a condition that individuals can self-diagnose or treat.
In addition to the dangers of iron deficiency, overloading the body with iron can also be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage your liver and cause other complications. For this reason, individuals should consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment at the right rates rather than taking iron supplements on their own.