Iron deficiency anemia occurs when you have too little iron in your blood. Iron in the blood carries oxygen to the different parts of your body, so having too little can affect your organs and tissues. It may be caused by having an iron-deficient diet, from losing blood or from a condition that prevents you from absorbing enough iron. If you suspect iron deficiency anemia, see your doctor.
Anemia Symptoms
If you have mild anemia, you may not notice any symptoms of the condition. If your iron stores get too low, though, you might feel fatigued and that you don't have a lot of energy. You might also feel irritable. Your skin may look pale, and you may notice that your tongue is sore or feels swollen. Your heart may beat more quickly than normal. You might experience cravings for non-food substances, such as ice, paper or dirt, a condition called pica.
Iron-Rich Foods
Your doctor may suggest that you eat more iron-rich foods to raise your iron levels. Good sources of iron include canned clams, oysters, beef, poultry, iron-fortified cereals, beans and spinach. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the iron in meat and poultry is easier for your body to absorb than that found in plant foods. Also, eating foods high in vitamin C along with the foods high in iron can help you to absorb the iron in your food. Milk products can cause anemia in children under the age of five, so limit your young child to 24 oz. of milk each day. Do not give cow's milk to babies under one year of age, as it can cause anemia even in small amounts.
Supplements
If your iron levels are low, your doctor might suggest iron supplements. Taking these supplements on an empty stomach and with a glass of orange juice or a vitamin C supplement can help absorption. Taking iron supplements might cause constipation. If this is a problem for you, ask your doctor ways to reduce this uncomfortable side effect. Since it is possible to overdose on iron tablets, follow your doctor's instructions carefully and do not attempt to take more iron than he recommends.
Testing
If you eat a diet that contains enough iron and you have not recently suffered a traumatic injury or had surgery, your doctor may want to run tests to find out why you are anemic. These tests might include testing your stools for blood, as bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can cause anemia; an endoscopy or colonoscopy to check your digestive tract; and a pelvic ultrasound if you are a woman to check for fibroids or other causes of bleeding. Once you begin treatment for your anemia, you should have your blood tested several weeks or months later to be sure that your iron levels are rising as expected.
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