Are you iron deficient?

Have you been experiencing extreme fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath lately? As the temperature rises in the UAE a lot of people will experience these symptoms and blame it on the rising temperatures but if these symptoms persist then it’s worth having a discussion with your GP about iron deficiency. 

Iron deficiency can affect both men and women, but the risk for women of childbearing age can be higher due to heavy menstrual periods. The loss of blood can lead to iron deficiency. “Some people argue that women are at higher risk because they eat less meat and follow a vegetarian or vegan diet more often [than most], but this is not necessarily the case,” says Katharina Elbracht, Clinical Director, Beyond-nutrition.ae. “In our clinic we see vegetarians as well as meat eaters with low iron levels.” 

Pregnant or breastfeeding women might have an increased risk for iron deficiency. This is because there is an increased blood volume, which in effect requires that more iron is used for oxygen transport to the baby. Young children also have a higher risk for iron deficiency.

Iron is an essential element for blood production. About 70 per cent of our body’s iron is found in red blood cells as part of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body, and in muscle cells, as myoglobin, which accepts, stores, transports and releases oxygen. About 6 per cent of body iron is part of certain proteins that are essential for respiration, energy metabolism and nerve function. Iron is also needed for proper immune function.

If the body doesn’t absorb its needed amount of iron, it becomes deficient. Symptoms may not necessarily appear until iron deficiency has progressed to iron deficiency anaemia. This is a state at which the body’s iron stores are so low that it doesn’t produce enough normal red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently. “As per the World Health Organisation, iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide with an estimated five billion people suffering from it,” says Dr Wafaa Ayesh, Director of Clinical Nutrition, DHA. “Iron deficiencies are on the rise in the UAE especially in women.”

Dr Wafaa says that if the iron deficiency anaemia develops quickly then the symptoms will be more severe as compared to gradually developing iron deficiency anaemia commonly found with stomach ulcer. Iron deficiency anaemia typically causes:

• Fatigue and tiredness

• Pale skin

• Increased heart rate (heart palpitations)

• Headache

• Hair loss

• An unusual appetite for non-food items such as ice, dirt, or clay (pica)

• Abnormal nails (spoon shaped nails)

• Sore tongue 

There are a few groups of people who are at higher risk for developing iron deficiency:

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding These women have an increased blood volume, which requires more iron to drive more oxygen to the baby and growing reproductive organs. 

Young children over six months old have increased iron needs. While breast milk and iron-fortified formula can supply enough iron not met by solid foods, cow’s milk does not. 

Teenage girls going through a rapid rate of growth need more iron. This, combined with a busy lifestyle and a common tendency towards unhealthy or restrictive diets, can put them at risk for an iron deficiency.

Women of childbearing age, are at higher risk of iron deficiency. Some women experience excessively heavy menstrual periods. The chronic loss of blood can lead to iron deficiency. Women are also at risk due to poor dietary choices and chronic caloric restriction in a quest to lose or maintain weight.

How does iron deficiency impact the body?

Mild iron deficiency anaemia usually doesn’t cause complications. However, if left untreated, it can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following:

Heart problems Iron deficiency anaemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Our heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in the blood when anaemic, which can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

Problems during pregnancy In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anaemia has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies. But the condition is preventable in pregnant women who receive iron supplements as part of their prenatal care.

Growth problems In infants and children, severe iron deficiency can lead to anaemia as well as delayed growth and development. Additionally, iron deficiency anaemia is associated with an increased susceptibility to infections.

There is no specific cause for iron deficiency anaemia, but some of the most common ones are:

Iron absorption Iron is usually absorbed in the small intestine; coeliac disease affects your intestine’s ability to absorb iron and other nutrients from digested food, and consequently cause iron deficiency anaemia.

Weight-reduction surgery can also cause mal-absorption of iron if the small intestine is removed or bypassed.

Pregnancy is a common cause of iron deficiency in view of the increased demand for iron by the growing foetus.

If you or your child develops signs and symptoms that suggest iron deficiency anaemia, see your doctor for a diagnosis — this is not something to self-diagnose or treat by yourself. Do not take iron supplements on your own; overloading the body with iron can be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage the liver and cause other complications.

“The foods we consume play a significant role for the prevention or the combat of iron deficiency,” explains Elbracht. “Eating iron-rich foods will increase blood iron levels. These foods include meat, fish, tofu, iron-fortified cereals, eggs, pulses, beans, dried fruit such as apricots and prunes, and dark green leafy vegetables.”

To increase the iron absorption, it is recommended to include vitamin C-rich foods at the same meal as the iron-rich foods. Vitamin C is found in kiwi, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, peas and green leafy vegetables.

The calcium found in dairy products as well as polyphenols found in teas and coffee can decrease the iron absorption and thus should not be consumed with iron-rich meals.

Essentially, iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia worldwide. Some people have obvious symptoms, while others experience none at all. This often depends on the severity of the anaemia. If in doubt, talk to your doctor.