Treatment of iron-deficiency anemia -- the medical term for low iron -- commonly requires iron supplementation. Iron-deficiency anemia is diagnosed as having iron levels below 30 ug/dL, according to "Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests." Taking a careful inventory of your signs and symptoms can give you and your doctor important clues about your health condition and may signal that you require iron supplementation.
Always consult your physician prior to taking iron or any other nutritional supplement.
Step 1
Discuss your concerns about your iron levels with your physician. Your doctor may wish to test your iron levels, hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasma ferritin and transferrin saturation to determine if you suffer from anemia and make a recommendation based upon the tests' findings.
Step 2
Evaluate your cravings. Pica -- the medical term for craving unusual, nonfood items, such as clay, ice, dirt or paint -- can be a symptom of iron-deficiency anemia.
Step 3
Look at and touch your fingers and toes. If your fingers and toes are often cold to the touch or appear pale, or your fingernails and toenails appear dry and brittle, you may suffer from iron-deficiency anemia.
Step 4
Consider how often you experience dizziness. Frequent dizzy spells can be a symptom of anemia.
Step 5
Look at your tongue and evaluate how it feels. A swollen, tender tongue is a sign of iron-deficiency anemia.
References
- "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology"; Amy Morrison Karch; 2009
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, Gena Duncan and Wendy Baumle; 2010
- "Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests"; Kathleen Deska Pagana PhD RN and Timothy J. Pagana MD FACS; 2009
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