The most and least common causes of iron deficiency

without sufficient quantity ironthe body cannot produce enough hemoglobina protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. This can cause symptoms such as fatigueweakness, shortness of breath, dizziness and pale skin..

Low iron levels are common, affecting nearly 10 million adults in the United States. USA, Of these, 5 million suffer from iron deficiency anemia, according to a study published in PubMed Central. However, many people don’t know they have low iron levels and may experience symptoms for years without knowing the cause.

• Chronic blood loss: Most of the iron in the body is found in a protein in red blood cells called hemoglobinAs a result, chronic blood loss is the leading cause of iron deficiency, whether due to heavy menstrual periods, surgery, use of blood thinners, or a health condition such as a peptic ulcer. Margaret Ranyi, A professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh explains that situations like these can lead to significant iron loss.
• Low iron diet: Insufficient consumption of foods rich in iron This can also cause a deficiency. This is especially common among vegan or vegetarian diets, which lack the iron found in animal products.

• Chronic diseases: Some chronic diseases such as Celiac disease wave Crohn’s diseasecan affect the body’s ability to absorb iron from food. Abayomi Ogunwale, an associate professor of family medicine at UTHealth Houston McGovern School of Medicine, notes that kidney disease or cancer can also affect the body’s ability to properly use and store iron.
• Drinks that affect iron absorption: Drink coffee, tea And milk may interfere with iron absorption, especially if taken shortly before taking iron supplements.Both coffee and tea contain high levels of compounds called oxalates and flavonoids (tannins), which bind with iron to form non-nutritional compounds, limiting its absorption.“Ogunwale noted. “Milk contains casein and calcium, which directly reduce iron absorption.”
• Medicines that interfere with absorption: Use of certain medicines may negatively affect iron levels. “NSAIDs affect iron levels indirectly by irritating the lining of the digestive tract and causing minor or major bleeding.– Ogunwale said. Some antibiotics also cause hemolysis, which contributes to low iron levels. Ogunwale added: “Proton pump inhibitor Since acid reflux and stomach ulcers interfere with iron absorption, it is best to separate its intake from iron supplements by at least two hours.”

• Strenuous exercise: Strenuous exercise, such as running or walking long distances, especially on hard surfaces, can promote the breakdown of red blood cells, called walking hemoglobinuria. This phenomenon is believed to occur when the capillaries of the foot repeatedly touch the ground.
• Life stages: Certain life stages may increase the body’s need for iron, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, and rapid growth in children and adolescents.

The main way to know if you have low iron is to blood analysisDifferent types of iron tests have different normal ranges:

• Serum iron: The normal range is 60 to 170 mcg/dL.
• transferrin test: The normal range is 204 to 360 mg/dL.
• Total iron binding capacity (TIBC): The normal range is 240 to 450 mcg/dL.
• Ferritin analysis: The normal range is 30 to 400 ng/mL for men and 13 to 150 ng/mL for women.

“When iron levels drop, a decrease in blood volume and heme levels can occur, known as anemia”– Ogunwale explained. This is because iron is needed to produce hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.

• Fatigue
• Headache
• brittle nails
• Pale skin
• Cracks in the corners of the mouth
• Generalized weakness
• Labored breathing
• Dizziness
• Impaired cognition
• waterfall
• Restless legs
• Heartbeat
• Increased heart rate
• Pica: Craving for non-nutritious substances such as ice, clay, dirt, or paper.

The first step is to identify the cause of the malfunction. iron deficiency.

«To do this, you need to visit your doctor’s office to collect your medical history, perform a physical examination, and undergo laboratory tests.– Ogunwale said.

It is recommended to consult about ways to increase iron levels through lifestyle and dietary changes. For example, you can include iron-rich foods in your diet, such as beef. beef, poultry, pork, lamb, salmon, tuna, sardines and eggsVegetarians can eat lentils, whole wheat pasta, kale, spinach, broccoli and tofu.