Iron is the most abundant trace mineral in your body. Iron helps transport oxygen throughout the body and helps neurotransmitters in your brain send signals to the rest of your body. Most of the iron in your body, or approximately two-thirds, is in the red blood cells. When you do not have enough iron in your body, you are iron deficient.
Physiology
When you eat foods that contain iron, the iron is absorbed through your small intestine and transported through your body with the aid of a liver protein called transferrin. Most of this iron is used to make hemoglobin, the iron-rich protein inside red blood cells. The iron in hemoglobin allows red blood cells to bind oxygen and release it to your cells. The iron in the hemoglobin also allows red blood cells to pick up carbon dioxide from your cells and bring it to your lungs so it can be removed from your body.
Stages of Iron Deficiency
Approximately 95 percent of the iron in your body is recycled and re-used, according to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake. You lose some iron through normal processes, but most iron is lost due to abnormal bleeding. Because your body can store iron, iron deficiency occurs in stages. The first stage of iron deficiency is called iron depletion, which is characterized by an adequate amount of iron in the body, but no iron stores. As iron deficiency progresses, the amount of iron in your blood becomes inadequate and your body produces fewer red blood cells. The last stage of iron deficiency is called iron deficiency anemia, which is characterized by a decreased number of red blood cells and red blood cells that are smaller than normal.
Symptoms
In the initial stages of iron deficiency, you may not experience any symptoms. As iron deficiency progresses to iron deficiency anemia, you may experience fatigue, weakness, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, irritability, increased heartbeat, brittle nails, pale skin and cold hands and feet. Some people with iron deficiency anemia also develop pica, which is a craving for non-food substances, such as dirt and starch.
Treatment
Treatment for iron deficiency anemia depends on the cause and the severity. Mild cases of iron deficiency can usually be corrected with increased dietary intake of iron. For more severe cases, iron supplements may be necessary. It usually takes several months for iron supplements to correct iron deficiency anemia. If you have severe iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss, you may require blood transfusions.
