Iron-deficiency Anemia

  • Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, a condition that happens when your body does not make enough healthy red blood cells or the blood cells do not work correctly. Iron-deficiency anemia happens when you don’t have enough iron in your body. Your body needs iron to make a type of red blood cell that carries oxygen through your blood to all parts of your body.

  • Iron-deficiency anemia affects more women than men. The risk of iron-deficiency anemia is highest for women who:

    • Are pregnant: Iron-deficiency anemia affects one in six pregnant women. You need more iron during pregnancy to support your unborn baby’s development.

    • Have heavy menstrual periods: Up to 5% of women of childbearing age develop iron deficiency anemia because of heavy bleeding during their periods.

  • Infants, small children, and teens are also at high risk for iron-deficiency anemia.

  • Iron-deficiency anemia often develops slowly, and symptoms may be mild at first. As the condition gets worse, you may notice symptoms including:
    • Fatigue (very common)
    • Weakness (very common)
    • Dizziness
    • Headaches
    • Low body temperature
    • Pale or yellow “sallow” skin
    • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
    • Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with physical activity
    • Brittle nails
    • Pica (unusual cravings for ice, very cold drinks, or non-food items like dirt or paper)

  • Women can have low iron levels for several reasons, including:

    • Iron lost through bleeding, which may be caused by:
      • Digestive system problems, such as ulcers, colon polyps, or colon cancer
      • Regular, long-term use of aspirin and other over-the-counter pain relievers
      • Donating blood too often or without enough time in between donations for your body to recover
      • Heavier or longer-than-normal menstrual periods
      • Uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding

  • Increased need for iron during pregnancy:

  • Not eating enough food that contains iron: Your body absorbs the iron in animal-based foods, such as meat, chicken, and fish, two to three times better than the iron in plant-based foods.

  • Problems absorbing iron: Certain health conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, can make it harder for your body to absorb iron from food.

  • You can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia with the following steps:
    • Treat the cause of blood loss: Talk to your doctor if you have heavy menstrual periods or if you have digestive system problems, such as frequent diarrhea or blood in your stool.
    • Eat foods with iron: Good sources of iron include lean meat and chicken, dark, leafy vegetables, and beans.
    • Eat and drink foods that help your body absorb iron, like orange juice, strawberries, broccoli, or other fruits and vegetables with vitamin C.
    • Make healthy food choices: Most people who make healthy, balanced food choices get the iron and vitamins their bodies need from the foods they eat.
    • Avoid drinking coffee or tea with meals: These drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron.
    • Talk to your doctor if you take calcium pills: Calcium can make it harder for your body to absorb iron.