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In India, iron deficiency or anaemia is a major health issue that affects large fractions of the population, particularly gripping pregnant women, adolescent girls, and children. Some factors such as consuming low-energy diets, blood donation, and minor blood loss increase the risk of anaemia. Iron deficiency caused by the deficiency of nutrition only contributes to 50% -70% of anaemia across the country. But, the most alarming thing is that this problem often remains unnoticed and unaddressed.
Indian women and children are on the verge of this disease risk more than other countries. Therefore, this is a need of hour to recognise the early signs of this disease on time. Proper Health care is essential to prevent the issue of other health complications. Continue reading the article to understand iron deficiency causes, iron deficiency symptoms, its diagnosis, and treatment. Also, know what food is highest in iron to keep yourself away from the related risks.
Why does Iron Deficiency Occur?
Iron deficiency is one of the main nutritional deficiency disorders that can impact anyone. Many things can lead to a shortage of iron in your body. But, the most important causes are insufficient iron intake, heavy periods, pregnancy, and critical diseases in old age. Read more about the causes of anaemia due to lack of iron supply in your body:
Inadequate Dietary Iron Intake
Someone who does not include iron-rich food in their daily diet is most likely to develop the symptoms of anaemia in their body. Foods such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, and eggs are rich in iron. Children, pregnant women, and menstruation women require them more than anyone else. Little consumption of an iron-rich diet can decrease the level of iron compounds such as haemoglobin.
Blood Loss Due to Monthly Periods
In the reproductive age of women, heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of lack of iron nutrition. Do not forget to have the proper intake of iron-rich food to combat the issue of consecutive menstrual cycles of heavy bleeding.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women require more iron to ensure a good oxygen supply for the foetus. They generally do not get proper iron from their foods, so they have to take iron supplements to combat iron deficiency.
Internal Bleeding in Gastrointestinal
The gastrointestinal tract is a significant part of your body because this is responsible for digesting food. But, certain critical medical emergencies such as stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal cancer, and angiodysplasia trigger the risk of internal bleeding. This usually happens because of the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat these medical conditions.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) often suffer from anaemia or iron deficiency. They have to take either iron supplements injections or tablets on a daily basis. This usually happens because their kidneys lose the ability to make enough erythropoietin. If they do not take iron medications on time, their condition may worsen over time.
Inability to Absorb Iron
Patients who suffer from Celiac disease or other intestinal diseases often have a deficiency of iron in their bodies. This generally happens when their intestines lose the ability to gain nutrients from the digested food.
Traumatic Injury
Serious traumatic injuries that require immediate medical attention can make you lose a large amount of blood. This unexpectedly declines your haemoglobin level and you may require immediate blood transfusion.
What are the Signs of Iron Deficiency?
Are you looking for what are the signs for being low in iron? Be on the lookout for the following symptoms of anaemia disease:
- Weakness
- General fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Cold hands and feet
- Irregular heartbeat
- Tingling in legs
- Swelling in tongue
- Disliking nutritious food
- Brittle nails
- Feeling itchy
- Hair loss
- Painful soreness in the mouth
How is Iron Deficiency Diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose iron deficiency in your blood by performing following blood tests:
CBC Test (Complete Blood Count)
The first blood test that the doctor often prescribes to measure the level of iron is the CBC test. Often, the following components are measured through this test:
- Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
- White Blood Cells (WBCs)
- Haemoglobin
- Platelets
- Hematocrit Level
In patients suffering from high iron deficiency, the white blood count goes lower and platelet counts may increase or decrease. Afterwards, your doctor may advise you to undergo some more blood tests to evaluate the total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin levels. Check out the following details to understand them in a better way:
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
The doctor recommends this test to determine the amount of transferrin, a protein that transports iron.
Ferritin
The low level of ferritin indicates low iron storage in your body. Just like transferrin, ferritin is also a protein. But, this helps with the storage of iron in your body.
Other Tests
The cases of iron deficiency or anaemia are most commonly seen in menstruation women, pregnant women, children, and others who dislike nutritious diets or are more dependent on cow’s milk. But, when a doctor analyses your lifestyle and symptoms and does not find you in the category of these people may recommend some additional tests. However, the doctor usually advises the following additional tests if the patient is suffering from severe anaemia:
- Fecal Occult Test: This test examines hidden occult (blood) in your stool. It indicates colon cancer or any other severe rectum disease risk
- Upper and Lower Endoscopy, Capsule Endoscopy, Barium Enema, Barium Swallow: These tests examine abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract
- Urine Test: This usually examines the level of haemoglobin in your body
- Pelvic Ultrasound or Uterine Biopsy: These significant tests diagnose excessive blood loss during menstruation cycles.
Treatment for Iron Deficiency
Depending on the severity of the iron deficiency, the doctor may recommend the best kind of anaemia treatment. Check out the following treatments that you may get:
Iron Supplements
The amount of iron that an anaemic patient needs is usually higher than the iron found in a nutritious diet or multivitamin tablets. This is true that iron supplements help in raising the level of iron in your body. You should avoid its intake without your doctor’s advice. Ask how much amount and when you should take iron supplements to prevent the issue of any health risk.
Iron Rich Diet
You can increase the supply of blood and improve the level of haemoglobin by increasing the intake of an iron-rich diet. This naturally boosts the level of iron in your body without posing any threat of side effects. So, start incorporating a healthy diet into your daily diet chart to get the best results.
Red Blood Cells Transfusion
If you have lost an excessive amount of blood due to an unfortunate accident, your doctor will have to arrange a blood transfusion to save your life. This is the immediate help that the doctor gives to increase the blood supply to the patient’s body.
Intravenous Iron
If your body can not absorb iron in the gastronomical tract, your doctor may recommend intravenous iron. In this treatment, the iron is directly given to veins to increase the supply of iron in the body.
Other Treatments
Based on the causes of your iron deficiency, the doctor may recommend other kinds of medical iron deficiency treatment. For women suffering from heavy periods, birth control pills are the best option. They are efficient in reducing menstrual bleeding each month.
Aside from this, surgery is the only option if the cause of bleeding is any traumatic injury, tear, or internal organ bleeding.
What Foods Should You Eat for Managing Iron Deficiency?
Check out the following list of foods that you must take to combat the issue of iron deficiency:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Dry fruits
- Nuts
- Iron-fortified cereals, rice, and grains
- Legumes
- Red meat
Over to You
Here’s hoping this article will explain to you the causes of iron deficiency and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. By going through the information, you may help your family member or your friend suffering from this disease. There are many causes behind the disease of anaemia. In case your loved one is suffering from severe iron deficiency, the patient requires immediate medical help. Otherwise, other serious health complications may crop up.
While you may not always be able to avoid illnesses and disorders, what you can do is be financially prepared to deal with one. Health Insurance plans by Care Health Insurance offer coverage to you and your loved ones against a long list of illnesses, that too at affordable prices. Connect with our experts today to make your future healthy and financially protected.
>> Also Read: Deceased Haemoglobin Symptoms and Causes of Anaemia
Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.
