If you wonder if you have iron deficiency, read this guide from Track Your Max.
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Your body produces hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout your bloodstream, requiring iron for its production. If your body does not have enough haemoglobin, your tissues and muscles will not get enough oxygen to function correctly. While there are a variety of anaemias, iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type across the globe.
Iron deficiency anaemia, as its name implies, is caused by a lack of iron. People with iron deficiency anaemia may feel tired and out of breath. Actively: You can generally be treated for iron deficiency anemia with iron supplements. In some cases, your doctor may suspect other medical causes for your anemia and order further testing and treatments.
Iron deficiency anaemia is more common among women than men. Women who are pregnant or have heavy periods are most likely to suffer from iron deficiency anaemia.
What Are the Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency?
Iron deficiency anaemia may start mild and cause no symptoms, but as it worsens, fatigue and weakness will typically appear. Other possible symptoms could be dizziness, headaches, low body temperature, pale or sallow skin, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or chest pain when you exercise, brittle nails, and even craving for non-food items like paper or ice or icy drinks.
What Are Common Causes Of Iron Deficiency?
Iron deficiency can occur at any age and can be caused by a variety of factors.
- Common causes include poor diet, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, pregnancy, and blood loss.
- Internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines can lead to anaemia in adults who have ceased menstruation. NSAIDs, stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, or, rarely, bowel or stomach cancer can cause this type of bleeding.
What Iron-Rich Foods Can I Include In My Diet?
If your doctor believes that your iron deficiency is due to a lack of iron in your diet, they may recommend that you increase your consumption of iron-rich foods. These include red meat (e.g., beef, pork, poultry), dark leafy greens (e.g., spinach and kale), dried fruit (e.g., raisins and apricots), legumes (e.g., peas and beans), seafood, iron-fortified foods (e.g., breakfast cereals), seeds and nuts, and organ meats.
If you want to maximize the benefits of your iron supplement, be sure to avoid taking it with any medications, supplements, or foods that contain calcium, such as antacids or milk. This is because calcium can reduce iron absorption. When vitamin C is present, it significantly increases the absorption of iron. Foods rich in vitamin C include bell peppers, oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, and grapefruit.
Track Your Max Is Your Source For Vitamin Deficiency Testing
If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of vitamin deficiency or would like to know how you can support your body better, a vitamin and mineral deficiency test is available to you with Track Your Max. This can help you find out if your diet supports your body composition and health goals, and it can inform you of any deficiencies so you can add food variety or supplements to your diet.
The physicians and consultants at Track Your Max in Webster, TX, dedicate themselves to providing essential services to people who are taking their health seriously. Our team of professionals can help provide you with data and an understanding of your own body. Our doctors will help you improve your self-care or refer you to the correct healthcare provider to meet your needs.