Iron deficiency – causes, symptoms, effects and prevention

Proven content

Iron deficiency in the body seriously affects our health. It causes not only anemia, but also causes malaise, fatigue, pale skin and breathing problems. Iron is an extremely important element that should be supplied to the body when composing a proper diet. Iron can also be supplemented, but it is worth remembering that preparations with this element should be dosed in moderation.

Iron – general characteristics

Iron is a chemical element marked with the symbol Fe, from the Latin ferrum. Its atomic number is 26. Iron is the most abundant chemical element on Earth in terms of its mass. Iron makes up most of the Earth’s outer and inner core. It is also the fourth element in the earth’s crust.

Physically, pure iron is a shiny, silvery, hard, flame-retardant metal. For many years, iron has been used in the form of alloys with carbon, manganese, chromium or molybdenum. In the free state, iron is found in meteroids and in low-oxygen environments because iron reacts with water and oxygen. Iron oxidizes in the open air and rust forms on its surface.

Iron is found in the human body in hemoglobin, tissues, muscles, bone marrow, blood proteins, enzymes, ferritin, haemosiderin and in plasma.

If you want to know more about the role of iron in the body, read on: Iron – properties, sources, symptoms of iron excess and deficiency [EXPLAINED]

The role of iron in the body

Iron is an extremely important element for maintaining the health and good condition of our body. Iron is one of the basic micronutrients that occur in the human body and affect its proper functioning.

It should be remembered that as much as 70% of iron is contained in hemoglobin, approx. 10% is in enzymes and proteins, while the remaining 20% ​​of this element is accumulated in the liver, bone marrow, spleen and muscles. This means that this element significantly affects the proper transport of oxygen to cells and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs. It is an element whose properties influence metabolic changes.

Iron is also a component of myoglobin, which in turn is responsible for storing oxygen.

The role of iron in the body it is so important that its deficiency very quickly causes negative effects related to anemia, i.e. anemia. It should be remembered that the amount of iron in the body affects the level of red blood cells, proper heart function, muscle efficiency, immunity, and a balanced hormonal balance.

How to compose a diet to increase blood iron levels? Check: What to eat to raise blood iron levels? Here are the best products

Do you want to check the iron level in your body? On Medonet Market you will find research packages in which, among others, you will determine the iron level. We recommend:

1. Pre-consultation tests with a dietitian – home blood analysis,
2. Preventive examinations package – blood tests.

The rest of the article is available under the video:

Iron deficiency – the body’s need

The most important the cause of iron deficiency there is too little supply of this element with food in relation to the body’s needs. Human iron demand is not constant and depends primarily on age, sex, physical activity, or the current state of health and general condition of the body.

On an average it can be said that the iron requirement in an adult man ranges from 1 mg / day in men and up to 2 mg / day in women. Women during pregnancy and breastfeeding should remember that their daily iron requirement is approx. 3 mg.

Why does the daily iron requirement differ so much from one individual to another? Well, the need for iron is determined by its physiological loss, and in each case it is quite an individual matter. We lose iron from the body through exfoliating epithelium, through bile, through microbleeding or through urine.

Due to menstruation, women need to absorb more iron, because the average monthly loss of menstrual blood is estimated at 30 ml. Every tenth woman loses 85 ml of blood, every twentieth even 118 ml.

A daily dose of iron is provided by the super complex vitamins and minerals dietary supplement or Gentle Iron capsules available on Medonet Market.

Iron deficiency – causes

There may be several causes of iron deficiency. The most important and most frequently diagnosed ones include:

1. improperly composed diet – iron deficiency is very often caused by an insufficient amount of this element in the consumed food. It is not uncommon that the cause is a vegetarian diet, especially one that has not been introduced responsibly and consciously. Consuming products poor in iron leads to the gradual depletion of this element in the body. To make up for such deficiencies during a vegetarian and vegan diet, you can order For vegans – the Panaseus plant-based supplement;
2. abnormal or inadequate absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract – this applies especially to people struggling with inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease;
3. blood loss – e.g. during heavy menstruation, but also as a result of occult bleeding. The problem of iron deficiency can also occur in people who donate blood, especially when the donor does not take care to properly replace the iron deficiency. Blood loss also applies to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, respiratory system, or after surgery or trauma;
4. increased demand for iron supply – this factor may be encountered by pregnant and breastfeeding women, but also by children and adolescents who enter puberty.

Women in particular are at risk of a drop in iron levels, for example during menstruation. So in order to comprehensively take care of your body, try Living Multivitamin Woman Terranova.

Iron deficiency – symptoms

Symptoms of iron deficiency are the result of the so-called oxygen starvation, which is caused by a decrease in hemoglobin levels. The symptoms you experience depend on the degree of iron deficiency. In the initial stage of iron deficiency, these can be almost imperceptible signs such as lethargy, pale skin, faster fatigue even with little exertion.

As this deficiency increases, symptoms become more intense and easier to diagnose. Long-term iron deficiency it leads to anemia, the symptoms of which are pallor of the skin, oral mucosa and conjunctiva, headaches, joint pain and significant body weakness.

It is worth having preventive blood tests for anemia once a year. At Medonet Market, you can buy the Anemia Diagnostics package – an anemia testing package in two variants: home blood collection in a patient or in one of over 500 facilities in the country.

With advanced anemia, neurological symptoms such as dizziness or disturbed consciousness may occur. There are also shortness of breath, palpitations and tachycardia.

In the case of iron deficiency, the immune system is also often impaired, resulting in a decrease in immunity. There are disorders of the skin and its appendages. Patients may notice dry skin, frequent occurrence of seizures, hair loss, brittleness, dullness and graying of hair, nail brittleness, as well as characteristic furrows on the nail plates.

What are the causes and symptoms of low hemoglobin? Check: Low hemoglobin

Stages of the course of iron deficiency

The course of iron deficiency can be divided into three stages that can last up to several years:

1. The first step: iron deficiency predicted – this is the period when the tissue reserves of iron are depleted. At this stage, however, these reserves are sufficient to ensure that serum iron levels are at the correct level. The first abnormalities may be shown by a blood test showing a gradual decrease in serum ferritin levels;
2. the second stage: latent iron deficiency – this is the period when the tissue stores of iron are mostly exhausted, so that the cells are not supplied with an adequate amount of iron;
3. third stage: manifest iron deficiency – this is the period in which anemia is diagnosed. There are all possible symptoms and dysfunctions of organs and tissues that require the presence of iron for proper metabolism.

How to recognize anemia? Check: Anemia symptoms – characteristics, classifications, causes and effects

Iron deficiency – diagnosis

Iron deficiency produces specific symptoms that can be used to make an initial diagnosis. However, it is especially important to confirm this diagnosis by conducting an appropriate examination, according to the principle: first diagnose, then treat.

If iron deficiency is suspected, do so EHA study, which determines the level of iron in the blood and its ratio to copper, calcium and cobalt. The indications for the test are the presence of heavy menstruation, bleeding from the digestive system, pregnancy, the period of breastfeeding or regular blood donation.

What is ferritin and what do you need to know about it? Read on: Ferritin – role, deficiency, testing of ferritin levels [EXPLAINED]

Iron deficiency – effects

Minor iron deficiencies, which have not yet led to anemia, can be easily overcome by properly planning your diet. Unfortunately, long-term neglect in this aspect may lead to the development of anemia that requires supplementation. Untreated anemia worsens and causes more and more severe symptoms that significantly affect the patient’s quality of life.

The symptoms that accompany anemia affect almost every sphere of everyday life – work, study, physical activity, interpersonal contacts and even sex. These symptoms cause irritation and increase stress, which makes the anemia even worse. As a consequence, a very acute and long-term state of iron deficiency in the blood may lead to a threat to the life of the sick person.

How to distinguish weakness from anemia? Check: Is it still weakness or is it already anemia?

Iron deficiency – proper diet

The key to dealing with iron deficiency is a properly composed diet. Iron is an ingredient of many products that we include in our daily diet. The greatest amount of iron is found in red meat, i.e. in beef, veal or lamb. Meat products such as cold cuts, high-quality pates and black pudding are also a rich source of iron. Iron is also found in offal such as pork, beef, or poultry liver. This important element is also an ingredient in fish, especially sardines, herring, smoked cod and smoked mackerel.

Of course, iron is an element that can be found in non-meat products. Vegetarians who want to consume more iron with their food should include chard, broad beans, beets, peas, dill, spinach and parsley in their diet. Iron is also found in fruits, especially wild strawberries, black currants and raspberries.

However, it is worth remembering that the mere inclusion of the right products in the diet may not be enough. It is important that this element is well absorbed from the digestive system. Very often it is errors in composing the diet that cause iron deficiency and, consequently, anemia. For example, drinking coffee or tea too often can block iron absorption. A diet low in protein and high in oxalate, phosphate and phytate is also disadvantageous.

If you want to know more about iron-rich foods, check out: Ways to supplement iron

Iron deficiency – supplements

Often a properly composed diet is not enough to overcome the problem of iron deficiency, especially in a situation where it is a long-term deficiency. In this case, the body should be supported with supplements.

Iron supplements should not be taken without consulting a doctor. Determining the correct dose of the supplement is very important not to exceed the recommended daily intake of this element. This is important because iron can be overdosed, but only from supplements, not from food.

A side effect of frequent iron supplementation is stomach problems, especially constipation. These supplements interact with other medications, so taking them should be strictly consulted with a specialist.

Find out more about iron supplements here: Iron in tablets – application, deficiency symptoms

Iron interactions with other drugs

Iron supplementation should be consulted with a doctor or pharmacist, because this element interacts with other drugs, which positively or negatively affects its absorption. For example, vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, so it is worth combining products containing these two minerals in your diet. Iron absorption is limited by calcium, zinc, phosphorus and magnesium, so you should not supplement these minerals at the same time.

To increase the absorption of iron, it is worth drinking ANEMIKA – fruit and herbal tea, which you can buy at an attractive price at Medonet Market.

Additionally, iron supplementation is not recommended while taking antibiotics from the group of tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. Iron reduces their absorption, which significantly reduces their effectiveness. Also, do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with iron supplements simultaneously, as this increases the irritating effect of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

What drugs can not be combined with each other? Read: Dangerous interactions

Iron deficiency and its excess

As already mentioned iron overdose it is only possible with supplementation of this element. Excess iron also has no positive effect on the human body. Some studies have shown that too much iron in the body can increase the risk of a heart attack and cancer.

By combining with hydrogen peroxide, iron ions contribute to the formation of free radicals that are responsible for the development of atherosclerosis or damage to the membranes and nucleus of cells. Even a few tablets with a large dose of iron can cause serious poisoning in a young child.

What symptoms can excess iron cause in the body? Check: Too much iron

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