Iron Deficiency

Our bodies need a variety of different vitamins and minerals to function properly, but they also need some tiny amounts of metals! Without enough of them, you can experience some pretty drastic symptoms, these are deficiencies. Iron deficiency is one of the more common ones, especially among women, so it's important to understand what it looks like and how to treat it. 

What’s the deal with Iron?

Though it may sound strange, many metals are actually super important for bodily functions, iron among them. Specifically, iron primarily works to produce hemoglobin, a molecule in your blood that helps to carry oxygen throughout the circulatory system and around the body. After being introduced to your system, a molecule called transferrin attaches to it and delivers it to the liver where it is stored as ferritin. This new complex is then released as needed to make red blood cells in your bone marrow before entering the blood stream. After about four months, unused iron is reabsorbed by the spleen. Iron molecules are also involved in your muscles, hair, nails, skin, and various other niche systems in your body. 

Who’s at risk?

Despite its importance, your body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest, meaning everyone needs to be on top of their iron levels to stay healthy. Menstruating women, especially those with heavier periods, are at a particular risk for iron deficiency due to the higher amounts of blood loss. That’s why, on average, more women are diagnosed. But there are other risks that affect non-menstruating individuals, like gastritis, ulcers, tumors, and frequent blood donations.

What does it look like?

There are many symptoms involved with iron deficiency, but many of them aren’t indicative of it. That’s why there are multiple tests involved with diagnosing the deficiency (more on that later!). Please speak to a medical professional before seeking treatment.

While iron deficiency looks a little different on everyone, some common symptoms include:

1. Unusually pale or yellow-ish skin

2. Unexplainable fatigue

3. Shortness of breath 

4. Unexplained general weakness

5. Frequent headaches

6. Brittle nails/hair loss

7. Poor sleep

How do I know I have it?

If you are experiencing these symptoms very frequently over an extended period of time, it may be time to speak with your doctor. They’ll do multiple blood tests that each test for a different thing in order to get a full picture on what you’re experiencing. If you are officially diagnosed, you will be given iron supplements (like other pills or vitamins) to help balance out your internal levels for a while. 

As previously mentioned, many of the symptoms of iron deficiency also present in other cases. In particular, these symptoms are common general period symptoms, which is why women frequently go undiagnosed. Also, for most people, the necessary blood tests aren’t part of your regular checkups. Please advocate for yourself and ask for the treatments you may need if you are experiencing these symptoms. 

What can I do to prevent it?

While there isn’t a specific medicine to take to prevent iron deficiency, the best thing to do (besides just generally staying healthy) is focusing on eating iron rich foods like red meats and poultry, fish, and dark leafy greens. Also paying attention to your Vitamin C intake has proven to be helpful because Vitamin C is responsible for absorption of iron, so focusing on foods like broccoli and grapefruit should also assist in alleviating your symptoms.