Iron Deficiency: What Is It, Causes, Tests To Detect The Condition, And More

Iron deficiency, among the most prevalent health issues, occurs when your body fails to produce healthy RBCs or red blood cells because of a lack of enough iron. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen to your body's tissues. So when there's an oxygen deficit, it leads to tiredness, weakness, and other symptoms like hair loss. Even though it's a common health problem, many people don’t realize they have iron deficiency until it starts affecting their daily lives. Dr. Sameer Bhati, director of Star Imaging and Path Lab Ltd., tells us more.

Iron Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, And Other Details

According to Dr. Bhati, one of the early signs of iron deficiency can be hair fall. If you’ve noticed more hair shedding than usual, it might indicate your body’s iron levels are low. Some other symptoms are:

• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Cold hands and feet
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sore or smooth tongue
• Headache
• Brittle nails or hair loss

Meanwhile, the reasons behind iron deficiency may be:

• Not consuming sufficient iron-rich foods
• Overexertion and exercising
• Exposure to lead from water or the environment
• Hereditary diseases like hemophilia and von Willebrand disease
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Heavy periods
• Drinking non-fortified formula

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But first, what is iron deficiency? "Iron is essential for making haemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen in your blood. When you don’t have enough iron, your body struggles to carry enough oxygen to your organs and tissues," explains Dr. Bhati, adding, "A simple blood test can help you address it before the condition worsens."

Iron Deficiency: Tests, Importance of Early Detection, And More

As with other health conditions, even iron deficiency can be detected via blood tests, as mentioned before. According to Dr. Bhati, the two tests are:

Serum Ferritin Test

This test is commonly used to check the amount of stored iron in your body. If your ferritin levels are low, it’s a clear sign that you could be dealing with iron deficiency.

CBC

CBC or Complete Blood Count can check for anemia, which often accompanies low iron.

"If iron deficiency is caught early, it’s much easier to treat. Left unchecked, it can lead to more serious health problems, including severe fatigue or heart issues," points out Dr. Bhati.

Once the tests show low iron levels and depending on the severity, the doctor will "probably recommend iron supplements and a diet rich in iron. Foods like spinach, beans & red meat can help boost your iron levels. In some cases, you might need more intensive treatment (like, high doses of intravenous or IV iron)," he adds.

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