Approximately two-thirds of the iron in your body is found in your red blood cells, specifically in the protein center called hemoglobin. The iron in hemoglobin is responsible for binding oxygen in your blood and delivering it to all your cells. If your body does not contain enough iron, healthy red blood cells cannot form, and your cells do not receive enough oxygen.
Causes
A lack of healthy red blood cells due to insufficient amounts of iron in the body is called iron-deficiency anemia, which is the most common type of anemia. One of the most common causes of iron-deficiency anemia is loss of blood. Women may lose blood through heavy menstrual periods or during childbirth. Blood loss may also occur as a result of trauma or surgery.
Iron-deficiency anemia can also develop if you do not consume enough iron in your diet. Although most of the iron in your body is reused, regularly consuming too little iron can lead to depleted iron stores. An inability to absorb the iron you eat can also lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Malabsorption may occur as a result of intestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, or the use of certain medications.
Symptoms
Because your cells rely on oxygen to function properly, the lack of oxygen associated with iron-deficiency anemia leads to a variety of physical symptoms. The most common symptoms of include fatigue, pale skin, weakness, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, cold hands and feet, brittle nails and irritability. Over time, iron-deficiency anemia may lead to an irregular heartbeat, called a heart arrhythmia. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor.
Treatment
Most cases of iron-deficiency anemia can successfully treated with iron supplements. Mild cases may be corrected with oral iron supplements, whereas more severe cases may require intravenous supplementation. Supplements must usually be taken for several months in order to give the body time to replenish its iron stores. If iron-deficiency is caused by an underlying medical condition, it is important to seek treatment for that condition as well to avoid future recurrences.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent iron-deficiency anemia caused by a lack of iron in the diet by consuming iron-rich foods. Children between 1 and 3 require 7 mg of iron per day, whereas children between 4 and 8 need 10 mg of iron. Adolescents between 9 and 13 should consume 8 mg of iron per day. After the age of 13, women require more iron than men to compensate for iron lost during menstruation. Male teenagers between 14 and 18 require 11 mg of iron per day, while female teenagers of the same age require 15 mg daily. Adult men over the age of 18 need 8 mg of iron. Women between 19 and 50 should consume 18 mg of iron. Iron recommendations for women over 50 drop back down to 8 mg daily.
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