Decoding Iron Deficiency: Identifying Those Who Should Take Iron Tablets

It is common for the body to have low iron levels, but if it is not treated, the condition can become serious which is known as iron deficiency anemia.

IDA is a condition in which your blood does not have enough healthy, oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As a result, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Tiredness

• lack of energy

• difficulty breathing

• frequent distractions

• be very sick

• feeling cold

• pale skin

• Nervousness

• Headache

• hearing sounds like bells, whispers, or buzzing inside the head

• Itching

• tongue pain or difficulty swallowing

• change in taste of food

• hair fall

• Having a desire to eat snow or dirt is also called

• painful open sores in the corners of the mouth

• Uncontrollable urge to move the legs frequently – also known as restless leg syndrome

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor to diagnose or rule out low iron levels or IDA.

Keep in mind that these symptoms usually appear most when iron levels become severely low; there are times when iron levels continue to drop and these symptoms do not appear. Getting your iron levels tested regularly can be a great way to manage and treat them.

Read More - (Iron Overdose: symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment)

Iron supplements can help correct low iron levels or treat iron deficiency anemia. These can provide benefits faster than food. Supplements may be particularly helpful for people who are at risk for low iron levels, especially if they are unable to meet their iron deficiency through diet alone.

• pregnant woman

• infants and young children

• women with heavy menstruation

• from frequent blood transfusions

• people suffering from cancer

• People with gastrointestinal disorders, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease

• who have had gastric surgery

• people with heart failure

• People who are taking iron-reducing medications, such as medications that reduce stomach acid

• people who exercise heavily

• Vegetarian

• People with blood disorders such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia

• people suffering from alcoholism

It's important to note that taking iron supplements when unnecessary can harm your health, as they usually contain high amounts of iron, which can cause digestive problems and interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in your gut. Can reduce. Taking these supplements unnecessarily can also cause cell damage, and in severe cases, organ failure, coma, or even death. Therefore, always take iron supplements only after consulting a doctor.

Read more - (Iron Infusion: Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia)

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People who have no history of low iron levels can get tested once per year to detect possible iron deficiency at an early stage.

If you take iron supplements, improvement in hemoglobin may be visible within 4 weeks. However, it takes at least 3 months for hemoglobin levels to completely recover and sometimes even longer for ferritin levels to recover.

Therefore, people who are currently taking supplements to treat iron deficiency should have their hemoglobin and ferritin levels checked at least every 3 months.

Getting your hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin levels tested is the best way to identify iron deficiency. How often you should get your iron levels checked depends on your current iron status.

Read more - (Iron Deficiency: symptoms, causes, treatment)

Iron supplements may cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Constipation is another very common side effect of iron supplements, so be sure to include adequate fiber and water in your diet. People with certain genetic disorders are at risk for iron overload if their condition causes them to absorb more iron from food. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder in which iron builds up in the body. Iron supplements are not recommended if you have hemochromatosis.

People with hemochromatosis should avoid iron supplements. In this condition, iron in the body can increase to dangerous levels. Keep iron supplements out of the reach of children. There have been several cases of accidental iron overdose in children, resulting in death.

Iron dosage varies according to age like -

Infants aged 7 to 12 months; 11 mg/day

Children aged 1 to 13 years: 7 to 10 mg/day

Men aged 14 to 18: 11 mg/day

Women 14 to 18 years: 15 mg/day

Men aged 19 and older: 8 mg/day

Women ages 19 to 50: 18 mg/day

Women 51 and older (or when menopausal): 8 mg/day

During pregnancy, the requirement increases to 27 mg/day. For people who are breastfeeding, the requirement is 9 to 10 mg/day.

Iron supplements should be taken with food. Some claims suggest that taking iron with vitamin C may help its absorption. Unless you have iron deficiency, you should not limit your total iron intake to more than 45 milligrams per day. People who have iron deficiency should discuss iron supplements with their healthcare provider.

When iron deficiency is not met by diet alone, iron supplements can help overcome iron deficiency. Some people, including pregnant women, infants, young children, exercisers, and people with certain medical conditions, are more likely to have low iron levels and should have their iron levels checked regularly.

If you're considering getting your iron levels tested, be sure to get a ferritin test as well as a hemoglobin and hematocrit test.