Symptoms of a lack of iron may arise due to a poor diet in foods that are sources of these minerals or as a consequence of excessive bleeding, such as hemorrhage and heavy menstrual flow, which means there is less iron and, consequently, hemoglobin, leading to the appearance symptoms such as excessive tiredness, hair loss and lack of appetite, for example.
Iron is a fundamental mineral for health, as it is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, which is one of the components of red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the body, in addition to being important for the proper functioning of the immune system and metabolism.
Symptoms of lack of iron
The main symptoms of a lack of iron are:
- Extreme tiredness, frequent sleep or discouragement;
- Difficulty learning or paying attention;
- Swollen ankles or swelling in other joints;
- Hair loss or weak and brittle strands;
- Pale skin or colorless inner eyelids;
- Lack of appetite, changes in taste or smooth tongue;
- Frequent infections, due to low immunity.
In the presence of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor so that tests can be carried out to confirm low iron levels and identify the cause of the change, so that appropriate treatment can then be started.
How to confirm iron deficiency
To confirm iron deficiency, the general practitioner normally evaluates the signs and symptoms presented by the person, in addition to recommending a blood count to assess hemoglobin levels, which may be reduced, as iron is essential for iron deficiency. the formation of hemoglobin.
In addition, it is necessary to carry out blood tests that assess the circulating levels of this mineral, such as serum iron measurement, in addition to ferritin measurement, which is the iron-storing protein, and transferrin, which is the protein responsible for iron transport. for fabrics.
This way, it is possible to assess the severity of iron deficiency and check whether storage and transport proteins are working correctly, making it possible to recommend the most appropriate treatment to alleviate symptoms and restore iron levels.
What to do
To alleviate the symptoms of iron deficiency, it is important to increase your consumption of foods rich in this mineral, such as red meat, eggs, tuna, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, bananas, broccoli and spinach, for example. Discover other foods rich in iron.
In some cases, iron supplementation may also be recommended by the doctor, especially in cases where iron levels are very low and do not increase even with adequate nutrition. Therefore, it may be advisable to use 1 or 2 iron tablets per day for a few months until the levels of this mineral are adequate.
