Iron deficiency is a condition where the body lacks sufficient iron, a trace element responsible for cellular respiration. A decrease in its level leads to hypoxia of all tissues in the body.
In men and women, iron reserves are not the same. The discrepancy is not only due to the different mass of the bodies. Women regularly lose blood during menstruation – along with it goes a necessary trace element.
Sufficient iron is a prerequisite for erythropoiesis – the process of forming red blood cells (erythrocytes). They contain the protein hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen to all cells of the body.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
The symptoms of iron deficiency are not very specific and are also found in other diseases or conditions, but in general, iron deficiency can manifest itself as follows:
- skin discoloration (coffee-and-milk pigmentation);
- the appearance of sores in the corners of the mouth;
- nail changes (striation, brittleness, concavity, dullness);
- hair changes (hair loss, stratification, alopecia, dullness);
- hypotension (arterial and muscular);
- change in sense of smell (predilection for odors of nail polish, paint, acetone, exhaust fumes);
- change in taste (predilection for chalk, clay, raw foods);
- weakness, headache, dizziness;
- poor tolerance to physical activity;
- decreased appetite;
- decreased efficiency, attention, learning ability;
- pallor of the skin and visible mucous membranes;
- paleness of the skin and visible mucous membranes; paleness of the skin and visible mucous membranes.
Causes of iron deficiency
The causes of iron deficiency generally fall into two large groups.
- The first group is associated with excessive consumption of iron intake. Increased blood loss may occur due to menstruation or bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, erosions, hemorrhoidal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease). Also increased iron consumption is accompanied by pregnancy, during which on average iron stores are depleted by 1000 mg.
- The second group of causes is related to impaired iron absorption. Since iron is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, diseases such as celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis, the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, removal of part of the intestine or stomach can impair iron absorption from food and drugs and lead to iron deficiency. In addition, certain foods (tea, coffee, cereal) and medications can also decrease iron absorption.
At risk are:
- People who have previously been diagnosed with iron deficiency;
- diabetic patients;
- smokers;
- HIV-positive people;
- people with inflammatory bowel disease;
- women with a history of multiple births, especially if the interval between the birth and the next pregnancy is less than 6 months;
- women with a history of abnormal uterine bleeding;
- people who are underweight or, conversely, obese;
- vegetarians.
How latent iron deficiency manifests itself
Latent iron deficiency is most often asymptomatic – it can only be detected through diagnosis. Latent iron deficiency means that the results of the general analysis will be low ferritin, while hemoglobin and serum iron may be normal.
In some cases, when hidden iron deficiency occurs, a person will experience the following symptoms:
- apathy;
- rapid fatigue;
- drowsiness;
- exacerbation of symptoms of existing chronic diseases.
If untreated, latent iron deficiency progresses to anemia. Timely detection of the latent stage can prevent complications and improve quality of life.
How to replenish iron deficiency in the body
To replenish iron stores, a person needs a very small amount of the nutrient every day. But at the same time, the gastrointestinal tract assimilates less than 20% of dietary iron, so to normalize its content in the body in the diet there should be enough products rich in iron. Let’s understand how to restore the necessary level of an important trace element in the body.
There are two forms of iron that are contained in products: heme and non-heme. The first the body receives from meat products, and the second – from plant products. Iron from animal protein is absorbed by the body better than from greens, nuts and legumes.
Foods with high amounts of iron:
- Beef liver
- Buckwheat groats
- Blueberries
- Bitter chocolate
- Beans
- Yolk
- Oat groats
- Duck meat
- Beef
- Apple
- Pearl groats
- Pork
- Chicken meat
Preparations for iron deficiency
Balanced nutrition is necessary for everyone regardless of the amount of iron in the body. But with a significant deficiency of this trace element, changes in the diet will not be enough.
With the depletion of iron reserves, the doctor can prescribe treatment, which includes special drugs. Together with nutritional recommendations, medications help to quickly normalize the iron content in the blood.
How to take iron properly
Here are some tips that are important to follow when taking iron medications:
- Adhere to the regimen in the instructions, as it takes into account important features of mineral absorption from the preparation depending on the presence of other components or food intake.
- Do not combine the intake of iron with drugs that negatively affect its absorption, and do not take it simultaneously with calcium.
- It is not recommended to drink tea or coffee within an hour of taking iron.
- Iron preparations can be washed down with a slightly acidified drink, for example, from berries or fruits rich in vitamin C. It promotes the absorption of iron. But use for this purpose milk, tea, carbonated drinks should not.
- Do not take iron during infectious diseases, exacerbation of gastrointestinal pathology.
- Do not exceed the recommended dosages and courses of taking the drug.
Conclusion
Iron deficiency is a serious problem that affects your overall health and well-being. Its deficiency reduces energy, worsens the condition of skin, hair, nails and cognitive function. It is important to identify the signs of deficiency in a timely manner and eliminate its cause.
A balanced diet with foods rich in iron helps prevent deficiency, and in case of pronounced deficiency, medications may be required. Compliance with the doctor’s recommendations will ensure their effectiveness and prevent complications.
Regular checkups and careful attention to the body will help maintain optimal iron levels and good health.
