Iron Deficiency – Gastroenterologist North Shore
Iron deficiency is a serious issue. If our body does not have enough iron then it cannot produce the haemoglobin in our blood. This means the blood cannot carry oxygen throughout the body, leaving us looking pale and feeling tired.
Iron deficiency is also termed anaemia. It can be caused by a few situations.
Lack of Iron in the Diet – This is easy to understand. If we do not get iron from our food then we will not have enough in our bodies. Meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables, fortified milk and cereal contain a decent amount of iron. Some foreign 3rd world countries put an iron utensil in the cooking pot in order to add some iron to their rice or grain. This minute amount of iron is sufficient to prevent ill health.
Vegetarians and vegans will need to ensure they get enough iron in their diets by monitoring their diets. This is reasonably easy, as long as they eat leafy greens or take regular iron supplements. But the body is less able to absorb iron from leafy greens than from meat.
Blood loss – When we lose blood we lose the iron in that blood. If the lost iron is not replaced the remaining blood will have less iron than it needs to function correctly.
Blood loss anaemia is usually not an issue if we eat some iron rich foods. But blood loss from medical conditions, or even the female menstrual cycle, can make the issue difficult. The underlying medical condition should be addressed, or at least compensated for.
Pregnancy – Many women need some extra iron when pregnant. Provided there are no complications in the pregnancy this can be achieved with an increased intake from the diet. Just eating spinach, broccoli, and kale, along with sufficient vitamin C, is usually enough.
Inability to Properly Absorb Iron – Some people have a medical condition that compromised or prevents iron absorption. This might be celiac disease, or a removed small intestine.
We need vitamin C to properly absorb Iron. So a deficiency of Vitamin C, found in fruit and many vegetables, can cause an iron deficiency.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency – Gastroenterologist North Shore
• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Cold hands and feet.
• Sore or inflamed tongue
• Brittle nails
• Lack of normal appetite
• Craving for non-food items, such as dirt.
Additionally, low iron can cause stunted or delayed growth in children.
Gastroenterologist North Shore
If you experience fatigue of other signs of low iron, consult a doctor. A Gastroenterologist can provide the right treatment.
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