Maybe you’ve been feeling more tired than usual lately. And have you always lost that much hair in the shower? Also, why does it feel like you can’t concentrate properly at work?
Could you be low on iron? After all, iron deficiency is more common than you might think. In a recently published article, among females 12-21 years, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 38.6%, and the concern is that many of these people can go on to develop iron deficiency anemia, a more severe form of iron deficiency. Yet, when it comes to bettering your health, iron may not always be top of mind. Here’s why your iron levels matter and what you should know about them.
The role of iron
What exactly does iron do in our bodies? “Most of our iron is in a very important molecule called hemoglobin–that’s the molecule that carries oxygen around the body,” says Dr. Karima Khamisa, a hematologist with the University of Ottawa.
When we’re low on hemoglobin, that means there isn’t enough oxygen getting to key tissues and organs such as our muscles, heart, brain, lungs, and more. Furthermore, iron also plays a role in mood regulation, muscle function, and more.
Low iron can impact your health in many ways. “There are dangerous consequences such as cardiac issues, breathing problems such as shortness of breath, fainting, and others,” says Dr. Khamisa. Low iron can also contribute to fatigue, brain fog, poor concentration, symptoms of depression, a lack of drive, hair loss, brittle nails, headaches, and other concerning consequences. “There are a wide variety of symptoms that can be associated with it–some can be severe, and some can impair quality of life,” says Dr. Khamisa.
Get breaking National news
There are also serious concerns about low iron in the world of maternal and fetal health. “As a hematologist, the number one patient group I see is women of childbearing age with particularly heavy menstrual periods,” she says.
On top of that, some research has linked “So having optimal iron levels is extremely important and especially in women’s health,” says Dr. Khamisa.
Her next largest group of patients with iron deficiencies include those with gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn’s or Celiac disease, as well as those who’ve undergone gastric bypass surgery. “Gastric bypass surgeries in Canada have exponentially increased and by having part of the gut removed, there’s a skyrocketing number of people in the past 10 years that just simply can’t absorb the iron,” she says, adding that others who are prone to iron deficiency are those with medications that block iron absorption, such as heartburn or reflux.
Treating low iron
So, what to do if you suspect you’re having an issue with iron deficiency? While you may be tempted to just eat more red meat, a food rich with heme iron–the type of iron that’s most easily absorbed by your body–it’s a bit more complicated than that. “Diet alone will not solve significant iron deficiency anemia. The amount of iron lost might outweigh the amount of iron that is taken in by food,” says Dr. Khamisa.
Better yet, your first step should be visiting your health practitioner to determine why you have low iron levels. “It’s like having a tire. You can fill it with air but if there’s a hole in the tire, you’ll never be able to fix it,” says Dr. Khamisa. “Treatment of iron deficiency is addressing the root of the problem first.”
In addressing the problem, your practitioner may ask you to get some blood tests as this is the best way to know if you have a deficiency. They will be looking closely at several markers, and serum ferritin levels are the gold standard marker. In many regions of Canada, lab guidelines have been adjusted very recently so that we can better identify people who have iron deficiency. Based on your blood work, your practitioner may suggest an oral iron supplement – a first-line treatment and prevention of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplements range in the quantity of iron, so you’ll definitely want a healthcare provider’s advice before you start taking one. For example, FeraMAX Pd Therapeutic 150 has 150 mg of elemental iron while FeraMAX Pd Maintenance 45 has 45 mg. of elemental iron, and there is FeraMAX Pd Powder 15, suitable for children and infants, too!
The severity of the deficiency needs to be determined, given those with simple iron deficiency might have different iron supplement needs compared to those with diagnosed iron deficiency anemia. “Treatment is very case-by-case – I find every person is a bit different in terms of what works in them with treatment,” says Dr. Khamisa. “But again, it’s also getting to that underlying cause that’s quite helpful.”
If you think you have iron deficiency, you may check your symptoms here and discuss them with your healthcare practitioner during your next visit.
FeraMAX’s range of products may not be right for you. Individual results may vary. Talk to your health care practitioner and take as directed. Always read and follow the label.