Avoiding Iron Deficiency

You are at the most risk of not getting enough iron during your growth years, during pregnancy, as the result of some illnesses, surgery, or a loss of blood. It's possible to be suffering from a lack of iron without suffering from anemia. In particular, if the immune system is affected, one can become more susceptible to illness and infection without knowing why. For that reason, high risk individuals, especially pregnant women, are often screened for any indications of iron deficiency. The most common test is a blood test, which measures the oxygen-carrying protein in your body, and a hemocrit test, which checks the percentage of red blood cells present. Amounts of stored iron and iron in the blood can also be measured. An examination for signs of iron deficiency often will include listening for irregular heartbeat or irregular breathing, and in more extreme cases, checking for signs of internal bleeding. A pale or yellowish tint to the skin and nails are fairly common iron deficiency symptoms. Extreme physical activity can also cause iron depletion, and groups at risk of iron deficiency include athletes who are strict vegetarians, and distance runners. Since females require more iron than do men, female athletes are at a somewhat greater risk of incurring iron depletion.

 

How Do I Avoid An Iron Deficiency Situation? - The very best way to avoid iron deficiency and iron deficiency symptoms is to eat a well balanced, healthy diet. As is the case with almost any other medical problem we want to avoid, lifestyle choices, and in particular eating habits, are usually the first, and often the only needed, defense. Meats, and other high protein foods, are good source of iron as we've noted. And eating fruits (Vitamin C) with your vegetable helps you absorb even more iron. Young children in particular will benefit from fortified breads and cereals, and of course anything containing Vitamin C will contribute to their well-being.

Is There A Prescribed Treatment? - Treatment of iron deficiency symptoms is generally quite straightforward. In more severe cases, iron supplements will be prescribed, and periodic blood tests will be taken to monitor the effect of these supplements. You should not take iron supplements on your own, without a prescription or a doctor’s advice. An excess of iron in your body can also be harmful, in fact can be much more dangerous than a deficiency. What you want is to achieve a proper balance. At times, supplements won't really be necessary and a change in dietary habits is all that is needed to get you back on track.

 

As noted above, athletes are generally more in need of iron supplements than the general population but should consult with a doctor to see what a proper dosage would be. In those cases where the iron deficiency symptoms are the result of another illness, or caused by blood loss from either internal or external bleeding, treatment will often require iron injections, blood transfusions, or hospitalization while a series of tests are performed.

 

Iron deficiency symptoms in one sense have a good side. The symptoms tell you that you have a problem, which you otherwise may not have ever become aware of. Your symptoms usually are not terribly severe, and you can get treatment or help before that becomes the case. So if you are suffering from bouts of anemia, an iron deficiency is most likely the cause, and you have a good opportunity to do something about it, something good and healthy.