Iron Deficiency Anemia: Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Treatment

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may not appear for a long time and you may not even notice them. According to the American Society of Hematology (ASH), most people do not know they have anemia until they have a routine blood test. Symptoms of moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia include:

• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Pale Skin
• Difficulty Breathing
• Dizziness
• Tingling Or Crawling Sensation In Legs
• Swollen Tongue
• Cold Hands And Feet
• Fast Or Irregular Heartbeat
• Brittle Nails
• Headache

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According to ASH, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. There are many reasons due to which a person may have iron deficiency. These include:
Inadequate Iron Intake
Eating too little iron for a long period of time can lead to iron deficiency in the body. Foods such as meat, eggs and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron. Iron is essential during rapid growth and development, so pregnant women and young children may need even more iron-rich foods in their diets.
Blood Loss Due To Pregnancy Or Menstruation
Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age. Pregnancy is also similar, because during this time your body needs more iron to make enough oxygen for the baby.
Internal Bleeding
Some medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, leading to iron deficiency anemia. Examples include stomach ulcers, intestinal polyps, or cancer. Regular use of certain painkillers like aspirin can also cause stomach bleeding.
Inability To Absorb Iron
Certain disorders or surgeries that affect the intestines can also interfere with the way your body absorbs iron. Even if you get enough iron from your diet, celiac disease or intestinal surgery such as gastric bypass can limit the amount of iron your body absorbs.
Endometriosis
If you have endometriosis, you may experience heavy blood loss during menstruation.
Genetics
Some conditions – such as celiac disease – that make it difficult to absorb enough iron are genetic. There are also genetic conditions or mutations that can aggravate the problem. Other genetic conditions can aggravate anemia by causing abnormal bleeding.

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Anemia is a common condition and can occur at any age and in both men and women. Some people may be at greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than others, including:

• Women Of Childbearing Age
• Pregnant Women
• Not Eating Iron Rich Food
• Infants And Children, Especially Those Born Prematurely
• Vegetarian
• Adults Over 65 Years Of Age

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Why Is Iron Deficiency Anemia More Common In Women?
Pregnancy, menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to have iron deficiency anemia. Heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts 4 to 5 days, with blood amounting to 2 to 3 tablespoons. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding usually bleed for more than 7 days and bleed twice as much as normal. The doctor can help find the source of excess bleeding, such as fibroids, by performing a pelvic ultrasound.

A doctor can detect anemia with a blood test. Which includes:
1. CBC test
A complete blood count (CBC) is usually the first test a doctor uses. The CBC measures the amount of cellular or cell-related components in the blood. CBC provides information about the blood that is helpful in detecting iron deficiency anemia. In iron deficiency anemia, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are low. Furthermore, RBCs are usually smaller in size than normal. The CBC test is often done as part of a routine physical examination. It is a good indicator of a person's overall health. This can also be done regularly before surgery. This test is useful in diagnosing this type of anemia because most people who have iron deficiency are not aware of it.

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2. Other Tests
Anemia can usually be confirmed with a CBC test. Your doctor may then order additional blood tests to determine how severe your anemia is and how it should be treated. These blood tests will provide information, including:

• Iron Levels In Blood
• Size And Color Of Rbc, If There Is Iron Deficiency In Rbc Then Their Color Becomes Yellow.
• Ferritin Levels – Ferritin Is A Protein That Helps Store Iron In The Body. Low Levels Of Ferritin Indicate That There Is Iron Deficiency In The Blood.
• Total Iron-binding Capacity (Tibc)

3. Test For Internal Bleeding
If your doctor thinks internal bleeding is causing your anemia, additional tests may be needed. A stool test may be done to detect blood in the stool. The doctor may also perform an endoscopy.
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Most cases of iron deficiency anemia are mild and do not cause complications. The condition can usually be corrected easily. However, if anemia or iron deficiency is not treated, it can lead to other health problems. which consists of:
Fast Or Irregular Heartbeat
In a person suffering from anemia, the heart has to pump more blood to compensate for the reduced amount of oxygen. This can cause irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, it can even lead to heart failure.
Pregnancy Complications
In severe cases of iron deficiency, the baby may be born prematurely or with low birth weight. To prevent this from happening, most pregnant women take iron supplements as part of their prenatal care.
Developmental Delays In Infants And Children
Infants and children who are severely deficient in iron may have delayed growth and development. They may also have a higher risk of infection.

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How iron deficiency anemia is treated will depend on how severe the problem is and what caused it. Most forms of this condition involve a lack of iron in your diet, or your body's problems absorbing the iron you consume. Below are some options for treatment.
Iron Pills
Iron tablets can help restore iron levels in the body. If possible, you should take iron tablets on an empty stomach, which helps the body absorb them better. If these cause an upset stomach, you can take them with food.
Diet
Diets that include the following foods may help treat or prevent iron deficiency:

• Red Meat
• Dark Green, Leafy Vegetables
• Dry Fruits
• Iron-fortified Cereals

Additionally, vitamin C can also help the body absorb iron. Along with taking iron pills, you can take a source of vitamin C, such as a glass of orange juice or citrus fruits and vitamin C pills. Iron supplements won't help as much if excessive bleeding causes deficiency. Doctors may prescribe birth control pills for women who have heavy periods. This can reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding every month. In the most severe cases, blood donation or intravenous iron can quickly replace iron and blood loss.

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How To Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia

When caused by inadequate iron intake, iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating a diet rich in iron-rich foods and vitamin C.

• Iron Rich Foods
• Foods Rich In Vitamin C
• Meat, Chicken And Beef
• Beans
• Pumpkin And Squash Seeds
• Leafy Vegetables, Such As Spinach
• Raisins And Other Dried Fruits
• Eggs
• Clams, Sardines, Shrimp And Mussels
• Iron-fortified Cereals
• Oranges, Grapes, Strawberries, Kiwi, Guava, Papaya, Pineapple, Melons And Mangoes
• Broccoli
• Red And Green Capsicum
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Tomato
• Leafy Greens

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Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. This happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. If you suspect you have an iron deficiency, see a doctor. They can diagnose anemia with a blood test. Do not diagnose and treat iron deficiency anemia yourself. You may have too much iron in your blood which can cause constipation and even liver damage, among other health conditions.