You could be misdiagnosed as suffering from depression rather than a possible iron deficiency, especially during the early stages of diagnosis. The symptoms of depression and iron deficiency are similar and may necessitate further tests to target the root cause. Consult with your doctor rather than trying to self-diagnose your problem.
Similar Symptoms
MayoClinic.com states that symptoms of weakness, extreme tiredness, headaches, irritability and poor appetite are shared by both iron deficiency and depression.
Testing Needed
A complete blood count, commonly called a CBC, will help show if you are anemic, a condition where not enough red blood cells are present in your blood. You could appear weak, tired and pale and feel depressed when you were actually suffering from iron deficiency anemia.
Understanding Iron Deficiency
Part of the difficulty in diagnosing iron deficiency comes from the variety of ways low iron presents to a clinical observer. A study published in the February 1987 issue of "Drugs" stated that the underlying cause of low iron can usually be found in the gastrointestinal tract in both men and nonmenstruating women. The article states that your clinician needs to understand iron physiology. Your ability to absorb iron into bone marrow must be tested as part of the diagnostic process so your health practitioner doesn't arrive at a misdiagnosis such as depression.
Treatment
If your body simply isn't getting enough iron, iron supplements and a dietary change to include more dark green, leafy vegetables may help. MayoClinic.com states that if tiredness and other depression-related symptoms are corrected by iron supplements, then low iron may well have been the problem. Don't attempt the diagnostics and treatment of iron deficiency on your own, because you could overload your body with iron, causing iron accumulation that may damage your liver or cause other complications.
