Are you always tired? Maybe it's iron-deficiency anemia!

Do you feel tired, lethargic, or just plain tired all day long? Sometimes you feel dizzy, your hands and feet feel cold, and you may even have difficulty breathing. While these may seem like normal things, you may also have low iron levels, which means you may have iron-deficiency anemia . Don't worry, this is a condition that affects many people and can be cured with treatment. Let's find out more about it today.

What is iron deficiency anemia?

Simply put, this is a very common condition that occurs when the amount of iron in our blood decreases. This directly affects our red blood cells. You know, these red blood cells perform a very important function of carrying oxygen throughout our body. So, when our body lacks iron, the bone marrow is unable to produce enough ``Hemoglobin`` .

``Hemoglobin`` is a protein found inside red blood cells that acts like a vehicle that captures oxygen and distributes it throughout the body.

So, when our hemoglobin levels drop, our blood can't carry the oxygen our body needs properly. That's why we start feeling tired and dizzy.

How does this situation develop? What are the stages?

Iron deficiency anemia doesn't develop suddenly. It develops gradually, in stages. Normally, our bodies absorb iron from the foods we eat and store it for later use. The problem begins when the rate at which this stored iron is used exceeds the rate at which the body can replenish it.

There are three main stages:

1. First stage: This is when the iron stores in our body gradually decrease. However, at this stage, there is no major impact on the red blood cells. This means that no symptoms appear.

2. Stage 2: As iron stores become even more depleted, the body begins to make small changes in the way it makes red blood cells. Specifically, the red blood cells made in the bone marrow do not contain enough ``Hemoglobin``.

3. Stage 3: This is the stage where the hemoglobin level drops significantly below normal. This is when the symptoms of iron deficiency begin to become apparent.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

These symptoms may not be severe at first, but they can gradually increase over time. Check to see if you have any of these symptoms:

• Constant feeling of extreme fatigue and exhaustion: Feeling so exhausted that you can't do anything.
• Headache: Frequent headaches.
• Irritability, quick temper: Gets angry over small things, has difficulty keeping your mind focused.
• Muscle cramps: Muscle cramps in the legs and arms.
• Pale skin (`Pallor`): The skin of the body, especially the face, lips, palms, and under the nails, becomes pale.
• Pica: A craving for inedible substances such as ice cubes, dirt, clay, paper, and starch.
• Difficulty breathing (Dyspnea): You feel short of breath even after doing a small task.
• Tongue swelling or soreness: The tongue may become sore, red, swollen, and painful.
• Koilonychia: The nails become weak, sink inward from the center, and become spoon-shaped.
• Tachycardia: Feeling like your heart is beating fast.

If you continue to have one or more of these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor for advice.

What are the causes of iron deficiency?

There are several main reasons why this situation may occur:

• Bleeding:
• For women, heavy bleeding during periods is a major cause.
• Digestive system diseases, such as ulcers, gastritis, esophageal reflux disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease, can also cause bleeding. Sometimes, we may not even realize it.
• Iron Malabsorption: Even though we get iron from food, sometimes our bodies don't absorb it properly. This is especially common in people with celiac disease and those who have had weight loss surgery.
• Insufficient iron in the diet: Some people's diets contain very little iron. This is especially important for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Who is at higher risk of developing this condition?

Statistically, these people are more likely to develop anemia due to iron deficiency:

• Pregnant or recently delivered mothers: During pregnancy, the mother's iron needs increase because the baby's growth also requires iron.
• Nursing mothers.
• People who donate blood frequently.
• Those who have undergone major surgery (especially stomach or intestinal surgery, weight loss surgery).
• Women who are menstruating (especially if there is heavy bleeding).
• Young children and growing children: Iron needs are higher due to rapid growth.

What complications can occur due to this condition?

If iron deficiency persists or is left untreated, some complications may occur.

• Effects on brain function (`Brain fog`): Memory declines, difficulty concentrating.
• Delayed growth and development in children: It can affect the physical and mental development of young children in particular.
• Heart disease: Conditions such as an enlarged heart or heart failure can occur because the heart has to work harder to compensate for the lack of oxygen.
• Restless legs syndrome: Discomfort in the legs and a feeling of wanting to move the legs may occur.

How to diagnose iron deficiency?

Doctors mainly use blood tests to diagnose this condition.

• A routine blood test (`Full Blood Count` - FBC) can give an idea of ​​the ``Hemoglobin`` level and red blood cells.
• In addition, the ``Ferritin`` level is checked to determine the amount of iron stored in the body.
• Other specialized tests, such as Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), may also be performed.

The doctor will decide what tests are needed based on your condition.

What are the treatments for this?

The good news is that there are effective treatments for iron deficiency. Doctors mainly focus on replenishing the body's lost iron. This can be done in two ways:

1. Oral iron supplements: These are the most commonly used. Take one or two tablets a day as directed by your doctor.

2. Iron infusions: This method is used for people with very low iron levels, or those who have side effects from oral iron pills, or those who do not absorb the pills properly. In this method, iron is given directly into the body as a liquid through a vein (like a saline solution).

Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you and how long you should take it. The most important thing is to find the cause of your iron deficiency and treat it. Just taking iron pills and not treating the underlying cause can cause the condition to recur.

Are there any side effects of the treatment?

Some people may experience minor side effects when taking iron tablets. There's nothing to worry about, these are usually not serious.

• Feeling a metallic taste in the mouth.
• Stomach discomfort: feeling full, having fewer bowel movements (constipation), or perhaps having more frequent bowel movements (diarrhea).
• Dark-colored stools (this is normal, don't worry).
• Nausea, vomiting.

If you experience these side effects, tell your doctor. He or she may be able to adjust your iron dosage or give you a different type of iron pill.

How soon will I feel better after treatment?

It depends on the treatment you are given and how low your iron levels are. If you are taking iron tablets, you will usually start to feel better after two to three weeks . If you are taking iron infusions, you may feel better a little faster. However, it can take several months for your iron levels to fully return to normal.

Can iron deficiency be prevented?

Yes, it can be prevented to some extent. The most important thing is to eat a diet rich in iron . Also, if there are risk factors (e.g. heavy menstruation), it is better to seek medical advice in advance and have your iron levels checked if necessary. Then you can catch it when it starts to decrease.

What is the outlook for people with this condition?

This condition can be cured with treatment. However, it is essential to treat the underlying condition that caused the iron deficiency. Even if you take iron pills to improve your iron levels, if the original cause is not treated, the problem may recur.

Imagine, if you suddenly find out that you have low iron levels, it could be due to something like stomach ulcers or colon polyps. Very rarely, it could be a symptom of colon cancer. That's why it's so important to find the cause.

What should I do to keep my iron levels healthy?

• If you have symptoms, talk to a doctor about getting your iron levels checked.
• Include iron-rich foods in your daily diet (we'll talk about this in a bit).
• If your doctor has prescribed it, get regular blood tests.
• If you have heavy menstrual bleeding or other intestinal conditions, talk to your doctor about it and get the necessary treatment.

What should someone with iron deficiency eat?

Eating a diet rich in iron can help increase your body's iron stores. Here are some examples:

• Animal proteins: red meat (beef, goat), chicken (especially liver), fish, eggs.
• Cereals and bread: bran bread, enriched white bread, rye bread, bran cereals, cereals with wheat.
• Fruit: figs, dates, raisins.
• Legumes: Chickpeas, peas, green beans, lentils, soybeans (`Tofu`, `Tempeh`).
• Vegetables: Dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, beans, potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes.

Important: Eating iron-rich foods with foods rich in vitamin C (oranges, tangerines, lemons, guavas) helps the body absorb iron. Also, drinking things like tea and coffee with meals can interfere with iron absorption. So it's best to take them an hour or two before or after a meal.

I am a vegetarian/vegan. What can I do to get more iron?

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you need to be especially careful about iron.

• Choose iron-fortified breads and breakfast cereals.
• Add more legumes (chickpeas, lentils, soy), tofu, dried fruits (dates, raisins), and dark green vegetables (spinach, kale) to your diet.
• You can also take iron supplements on medical advice. But never start taking supplements without medical advice.

When should I see a doctor?

If you suspect you have symptoms of iron deficiency, be sure to see a doctor. Also, if you are already being treated for iron deficiency, you should continue to see your doctor (e.g. every three months) to check your iron levels and overall health. You may also be referred to a gynecologist or gastroenterologist, depending on the cause of your bleeding.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If you are diagnosed with iron deficiency, it may be helpful to ask your doctor these questions:

• What can you tell me about the iron level in my blood?
• How serious is my condition?
• Do I need to see another specialist?
• What kind of treatment do I need?
• How long will I have to take iron supplements?
• What side effects can be expected from the treatment?
• When will I start feeling better?

Take-Home Message

We all have days when we feel like we don't have enough energy to handle our responsibilities. But if you have iron deficiency anemia, that fatigue may not just go away. If you're constantly feeling tired, don't ignore it. See a doctor to find out the cause, get the necessary tests done. Then, you can get the right treatment and be healthy and energetic again. Remember, this is a condition that can often be cured, so don't panic, and do the right thing.

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