What is Good for Iron Deficiency? Iron Deficiency Symptoms and Treatment

Iron deficiency , the most common type of anemia in the world , is an important health problem that occurs in 35% of women and 20% of men. In pregnant women, this rate increases up to 50%.

What is Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency is the condition in which the iron needed in the body cannot be met for various reasons. Iron has very important functions in the body. Hemoglobin, which gives red blood cells called red blood cells, contains iron, and red blood cells have important roles in taking oxygen from the lungs and delivering it to other tissues.

When the iron level in the blood is low, red blood cell production decreases and as a result, there is a decrease in the amount of oxygen carried to cells, tissues and organs. As a result of iron deficiency, anemia called iron deficiency anemia occurs. Iron also serves as part of the power plants in cells and enzymes and is of great importance for the body.

What Causes Iron Deficiency?

Iron is a mineral that cannot be produced by the body and therefore must be taken in sufficient and regular amounts through the diet. Iron deficiency usually occurs due to increased iron need in the body, insufficient iron intake, or iron loss from the body. The most important cause of iron deficiency is not consuming enough iron-containing foods. In situations such as pregnancy and menstrual period, the bodys need for iron increases.

Causes of iron deficiency that occur due to the increased need for iron in the body;

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding period
• Giving birth frequently
• Being in a growing age
• Adolescence can be listed as follows.

The causes of iron deficiency due to insufficient iron intake are;

• Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition
• It is a vegetarian diet in which meat, liver and other offal rich in iron are not consumed (Although there is sufficient amount of iron in plant foods, the form found in it can be poorly utilized in the body. Myoglobin in animal muscle structure contains very easily absorbable iron.).

Causes of deficiency as a result of iron loss from the body;

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Excessive blood loss due to stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, accidents, etc.
• It is an increase in the loss of minerals and other trace elements such as iron through urine and sweat due to excessive exercise.

In addition to the reasons listed above, the following factors can cause iron deficiency:

• Insufficient stomach acid secretion
• Having ulcers in the stomach or duodenum
• Surgery to remove part of the stomach or small intestine
• Insufficient absorption of iron taken into the body by the intestines due to diseases such as celiac
• Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cola significantly inhibit iron absorption when consumed with meals.
• Hereditary iron deficiency
• Use of drugs that impair absorption

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

It is difficult to detect iron deficiency at an early stage. The body can compensate for iron deficiency for a while and delay the appearance of anemia symptoms. However, some early symptoms are also seen at this stage. Some of these early symptoms are;

• Brittle hair and nails
• Dry skin
• Cracks in the corners of the mouth
• Burning tongue
• Sensitivity in the oral mucosa

As iron deficiency progresses and anemia occurs, other signs and symptoms are added. The most common symptoms of iron deficiency are;

• Weakness
• Constant state of fatigue
• Concentration problems
• Indifference
• Being out of breath during physical activities
• Dizziness and blackout
• Headache
• Depression
• Sleep problems
• Feeling colder than usual
• Hair loss
• Skin color looks pale
• Swelling of the tongue
• Tinnitus
• It can be listed as tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

What Causes Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency anemia can lead to serious, life-threatening health problems if left untreated. Some of these health problems;

• Heart conditions (such as fast heartbeat, heart failure, enlarged heart)
• Problems during pregnancy (such as low birth weight, the baby not being at normal weight, risk of premature birth, problems in the babys mental development)
• Weakening of the immune system and catching diseases more easily
• Developmental and mental retardation in infants and children
• Restless legs syndrome

How to Diagnose Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency is usually detected during a routine blood count or performed for other purposes. In case of iron deficiency, the body first depletes iron stores. When these reserves are completely depleted, iron deficiency anemia occurs. For this reason, for early diagnosis of iron deficiency, blood tests that show the status of iron stores are required. When there is any vitamin or mineral deficiency in our body, it is very important to monitor and control it. For example, routine iron screening may be recommended for an obese patient who has made permanent changes in his/her life through bariatric surgery. If you have complaints suggesting iron deficiency, you can apply to a health institution. Your doctor will question your lifestyle and food habits, as well as take a detailed medical history, including pre-existing diseases and medications. On the other hand, with young women, it asks questions about the frequency, duration and severity of menstrual periods. For the elderly, it investigates whether there is bleeding from the digestive system, urine and genital organs. Knowing the cause of anemia is the key to successful treatment.

Definitive information about iron balance is only possible with blood tests. Diagnosis is attempted by examining various parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte count, and transferrin through tests.

How to Prevent Iron Deficiency?

Preventing the occurrence of iron deficiency is possible with some changes in eating habits. For this;

• Eating foods rich in iron
• Combining these foods with foods that facilitate iron absorption (foods and drinks rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice, lemonade, sauerkraut, facilitate absorption.)
• Avoiding foods and beverages that reduce iron absorption will help prevent iron deficiency.

What is Good for Iron Deficiency?

Consuming iron-rich foods will answer the question of what is good for iron deficiency . Red meat, liver and other offal, legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, peas and dried beans; Foods such as spinach, potatoes, prunes, seedless grapes, boiled soybeans, pumpkin, oats, molasses and honey are rich in iron. These foods should also be consumed in abundance to prevent iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can cause the immune system to weaken. Patients with symptoms of AIDS, an immune problem caused by a virus, can have many minerals and vitamins, including iron, monitored regularly.

Foods That Inhibit Iron Absorption

Some foods or beverages can trigger iron deficiency by reducing iron absorption. Some of those;

• Bran, whole grains
• Oilseeds (e.g. soy, peanuts)
• Coffee
• Black tea
• Protein (casein) from soy and soy milk
• Calcium salts (Found in various mineral waters.

If possible, these foods and drinks should not be consumed together with foods containing iron. Especially anemia patients should stay away from them if possible.

How to Treat Iron Deficiency?

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia requires a combined approach. First of all, it is important to determine why iron deficiency occurs; because treatment is planned according to the cause. Eliminating the problems that cause iron deficiency is the most important step in the treatment process.

If the deficiency is due to too low dietary intake of iron, the affected persons diet is adjusted to provide adequate iron intake. It is recommended that people consume iron-rich foods such as red meat, liver and fish. In addition, the patient is advised to avoid beverages that reduce iron absorption, such as tea and coffee, during meals.

If the change in diet is not sufficient and there is anemia, the patient may need to be treated with iron medication. However, the use of iron medications without the supervision of a doctor is dangerous. Since excess iron is not eliminated from the body, it can accumulate in organs such as the pancreas, liver, heart, and eyes, causing damage.

If you suspect that you have iron deficiency, you can consult a healthcare provider or get advice from your family doctor to diagnose the causes and clarify the diagnosis.