Posted by Nancy Sabatelli on Jul.13, 2010

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When you hear the word “iron,” you probably think of a strong, hard metal used in construction and building. But when it comes to health, iron plays a major role in keeping us strong. Find out more about this important mineral, its function in our blood and bodies – and what happens when we don’t get enough.

What Is Iron and Why Do We Need It?

Iron is an important mineral, found in plants (vegetables) and meats. It’s carried by pigment called hemoglobin in our red blood cells. As blood flows through our bodies, hemoglobin delivers oxygen to organs and tissues. In order to manufacture hemoglobin, your body needs iron. Without enough iron, you can’t make enough hemoglobin, and your body won’t get the oxygen it needs. In addition, lack of iron can affect cell enzymes and processes like digestion. When we don’t take in enough iron, we start using up iron reserves stored in our bodies, a condition known as iron deficiency. This can lead to a more serious condition called anemia over time (1, 2, 3, 4). Anemia is “a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells” and results in hemoglobin shortage, according to the National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) (2).

A person can develop iron deficiency for many reasons:

• Not taking in enough iron through our diets, (especially during growth spurts in infancy and adolescence, or during pregnancy, when we need extra iron). “A diet low in iron is most often behind IDA [iron deficiency anemia] in infants, toddlers and teens,” according to the Web site, KidsHealth.org (1).
  
• Not being able to absorb iron due to medical conditions, (like intestinal problems, Crohn’s disease, bleeding fibroids in the uterus or cancer); or certain medications, (like aspirin or antacids) that prevent iron absorption;

• Eating foods/drinks that interfere with iron absorption, (like cow’s milk, caffeinated tea and coffee, high-fiber foods and calcium-rich foods);
  
• Losing too much blood and iron, (through injuries, heavy menstruation, childbirth, bleeding conditions, internal bleeding, etc.) (1, 2, 3, 4).

What Symptoms and Problems Are Associated With Iron Deficiency?

As with many other medical conditions, your symptoms can range from non-existent to mild to severe, depending on the degree of your iron deficiency. Common symptoms and problems with this condition include:

• Fatigue and feeling tired or weak
• Chills

• Pale skin
• Fast heart beat or heart murmurs
• Dizziness
• Lower appetite
• Developmental, cognitive and behavior problems, especially in children
• Headache
• Chest pains
• Brittle nails
• Sores or cracks inside your mouth and tongue
• Infection
• Pica – consuming non-food items, like paint, dirt, etc.
• Premature birth and low birth weight babies (for pregnant women with iron deficiency) (1, 2, 3, 4).

How Is Iron Deficiency Diagnosed and Treated?

Iron deficiency must be diagnosed by a doctor. He or she will ask questions about your medical history, lifestyle, diet and other such factors. Your doctor can perform a physical exam to look at your skin and in your mouth, listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, etc. However, blood tests are often necessary to confirm iron deficiency. Your doctor may order a CBC (complete blood count), which measures the amount and size of red blood cells you have. Other blood tests monitor hemoglobin levels, protein levels and various components of your blood to determine if iron deficiency exists (1, 2, 3, 4).

In addition, if your doctor suspects that your iron deficiency is coming from an internal problem, (such as internal bleeding along the intestinal track or a bleeding tumor), he or she may perform other tests or procedures, (like a stool sample to check for blood, colonoscopy or surgery to remove the tumor) (1, 2). Locating the source of the bleeding is crucial to prevent further blood less and worsening iron deficiency or anemia.

However, it’s important to stress that iron deficiency and anemia must be diagnosed by a doctor – don’t self-diagnose or assume that you have these conditions just because you have some of the symptoms or don’t feel well. Don’t change your diet, lifestyle or medications or supplements without talking to your doctor first.

Treatment for iron deficiency and anemia varies, depending on how severe your case is. Again, your doctor will advise you what to do. Many treatments are available:

• For severe blood loss and low blood counts, hospitalization and blood transfusions may be necessary to bolster lost blood and iron levels.
  
• Your doctor may advise you to change your diet and incorporate more iron-rich, iron-fortified foods.
  
• Iron supplements may be prescribed. These supplements should usually be taken on an empty stomach, to prevent other foods from interfering with the iron absorption. Iron supplements may have side effects like abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. However, do NOT take more than recommended, because excess iron can cause serious health problems, organ damage or even be fatal.

Whatever treatment regimen your doctor advises, you will need to follow it carefully and long-term. You will also need regular follow-ups with your doctor and blood tests every few months to monitor your iron levels (1, 2, 3, 4).

How Much Iron Do We Need and Where Do We Get It?

People vary widely in the amount of iron they need, based on age, gender, medical conditions, etc. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) range from 0.27 milligrams to 27 milligrams of iron daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (3). Talk to your doctor to find out how much you need. Remember, your body needs more iron during phases of rapid growth or development, such as infancy, toddler years, adolescence and pregnancy.

A great source of iron – particularly for toddlers and young children – is iron-fortified cereal. Young infants should drink iron-fortified formula rather than cow’s milk (1). Other foods rich in iron are green vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, beans, nuts and fruits (1, 2, 3, 4). Also, foods rich in vitamin C – typically vegetables and fruits – make it easier for your body to absorb iron (2). People who follow very low-fat or vegetarian diets are especially at risk for iron deficiency.

Clearly, iron deficiency and anemia can pose many health problems. Thankfully, however, these conditions are easily treated through diet and supplementation.

Sources

1. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. (January 2007). KidsHealth. Retrieved June 28, 2010 from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/ida.html

2. What Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? (n.d.). National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved June 28, 2010 from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ida/ida_all.html

3. Iron Deficiency. (May 22, 2007). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 28, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/iron_deficiency/

4. Iron Deficiency – Adults. (January 2010). Better Health Channel. Retrieved June 28, 2010 from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Iron_deficiency_adults?OpenDocument

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