Iron is a mineral necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also necessary for proper food digestion and is an essential component of many cell functions. An iron level that is too low in the blood can cause anemia, specifically called iron-deficiency anemia.
Recommended Daily Allowance and Hemoglobin
Your recommended daily allowance -- RDA -- of iron depends on your age, sex and health status. The RDA of iron for a male 19 and older is 8 mg daily. The RDA for a female 19 and older is 18 mg daily. Females require more iron because of monthly blood loss, and pregnant females need more iron. The RDA for a pregnant female is 27 mg daily. Your hemoglobin level is another way to determine the iron level in your blood. The normal hemoglobin level for an adult male is 13.8 to 17.2 gm/dL. The normal level for an adult female is 12.1 to 15.1 gm/dL.
Dietary Sources
Eating iron-rich foods will help you meet your RDA of iron and avoid iron-deficiency anemia. Some iron-rich foods include clams, oysters, shrimp, beef, pork, poultry -- especially dark meat -- liver, prune juice, raisins, walnuts, cashews, spinach, green beans, chick peas, green peas, potatoes and eggs. You can take iron supplements daily to increase your intake of iron if your diet is not sufficient. Talk to your doctor about the dose needed for your situation.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia Causes
One cause of iron-deficiency anemia is a diet low in iron. However, only 1 mg of iron is absorbed for every 10 to 20 mg of iron consumed, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, so you may have some degree of anemia if you don't have an iron-rich diet. Causes also include growth spurts in children, and pregnancy, gastrointestinal problems that impact absorption and blood loss.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia Symptoms
If you have iron-deficiency anemia, you may experience pale skin, irritability, fatigue, an increased heart rate, swollen tongue, enlarged spleen or pica, which is the urge to eat unusual substances such as dirt. If you have symptoms of anemia, your doctor will likely do a blood test to measure your hemoglobin level and the amount of iron in your blood.
High-Risk Groups
Those who are at the highest risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia include pregnant women and females of childbearing age who are menstruating; premature babies; babies who are not breastfed and are not being given iron-fortified formulas; children who have special health needs; and children 1 to 5 years of age who get more than 24 oz. of cow, goat or soy milk daily, which can dampen his appetite for other iron-rich foods.
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