What is Iron Deficiency Anemia: Causes, Symptoms and Test

Globally, almost 50% of anemia is linked to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia also ranks #9 on the list of life-threatening diseases and is the root cause of almost 8,41,000 deaths and 3,50,57,000 disabilities all across the world [1]. The number is alarming, so the problem needs to be tackled from its root. So, let’s understand this deficiency a little closely.  

What is iron deficiency anemia? 

Though iron deficiency anemia is a common health disorder, it should not be treated lightly as it can be fatal. Iron is a very important substance that your body needs in adequate quantity for proper functioning [2].  

Iron is required to produce hemoglobin, which in turn transports oxygen to every organ of the body. So, it lood leading to several imbalances and functional anomalies. 

Iron deficiency anemia: What are the major signs? 

Since this deficiency is linked to disrupted oxygen supply within the body, one of the evident symptoms of this problem is a constant feeling of tiredness. Decreased oxygen supply all across the body will put undue pressure on your overall well-being and will constantly make you feel sluggish and exhausted.  

Breathing difficulty and chest pain are other markers of iron deficiency anemia. Apart from this, the other prominent signs are pounding in the ears, headache, hair loss, and pale and brittle skin. These signs are predominately evident in cases when it is moderate. However, the magnitude of the symptoms may vary or increase in case of a severe deficiency.  

How can iron deficiency anemia be treated? 

The symptoms of the disorder can be either mild or severe, and accordingly, doctors plan out the iron deficiency anemia treatment. Usually, doctors will prescribe you supplements to boost the iron content in your blood. However, in most cases, the physician will advise you to complement this with a healthy balanced diet.  

This may include iron-rich food such as meat, poultry, leafy vegetables, and the like. Most people need 2 to 5mg of iron per kg of their body weight every day. So, depending on the exact deficiency, your physician will plan your supplement and food intake to revive the levels faster. 

What causes iron deficiency anemia? 

It is caused by a reduced iron level in the blood, which can be a direct implication of blood loss. This is common for women experiencing heavy menstrual flow or with people suffering from ulcers. You may also get this condition if you do not consume sufficient iron in your meals. Apart from these, if you have intestinal disorders like celiac disease, your body may fail to absorb iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. 

How to detect iron deficiency anemia? 

If doctors suspect iron deficiency by studying your symptoms, they may advise you to take an iron deficiency anemia test. As part of the iron deficiency anemia diagnosis, in most cases, a complete blood count test is enough to understand the iron score in your blood.  

Further, if your hemoglobin score is too low, then the doctor may advise you to take a specialized test to detect the iron composition at a molecular level. In that case, the total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin, and transferrin are measured. Another pointer denoting low iron in the blood is by way of the WBC and platelet count. Usually, if you are suffering from iron deficiency anemia, your platelet count will be high as compared to a low WBC count.  

Now that you know the importance of the anemia test, you can schedule this and other lab tests like a vitamin deficiency test with ease on Bajaj Finserv Health. With the help of this platform, you can get your samples collected remotely without having to visit a lab. This way, you can track important health markers and indications of anemia on the go and tackle its onset with ease.   

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