Low Iron Symptoms In Women

Iron deficiency or low iron levels is the leading cause of iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which the red blood cell count is insufficient and hemoglobin levels drop. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body. Typically, more women than men are prone to anemia, and pregnant women, as well as those in their childbearing years are a high risk category. Low iron levels in women can be temporary, chronic, or brought on as a result of another medical condition, and in most cases can be reversed with changes in diet and lifestyle, although certain cases may be severe and serious.

Causes of Low Iron Levels
There are a number of reasons that can lead to low iron levels in women. Generally, more women than men are likely to develop low iron levels because of the monthly loss of blood suffered during menstruation. Pregnant women as well, who are supporting a new life may need more iron than normal, and are more liable to iron deficiency, a situation worsened by blood loss during childbirth. A diet low in iron is a leading factor in causing low iron levels in women, especially in the case of women who follow vegetarian diets or veganism, and don't get sufficient amounts of iron rich foods, owing to the dietary restrictions they live with. Certain women may also have a hereditary problems which cause anemia , linked to genetic issues that interfere with the body's ability to produce enough red blood cells and sustain them. These hereditary conditions include sickle cell anemia, thalessimia, Fanconi anemia and congenital B12 malabsorption syndromes. Certain medications may also give rise to low iron symptoms in women who are on them, like some drugs used in chemotherapy.

Symptoms
In many cases, there may be no symptoms of iron deficiency, especially when levels are borderline or just shy of appreciably low. In other cases, symptoms may show up gradually, without any one symptom causing enough discomfort to warrant a check. More often than not, low iron levels will be caught in routine blood tests, that will show low hemoglobin counts. Having said that, there are some symptoms that can signal low iron levels, and these are as follows:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Brittle nails
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Cold extremities
• Irritability
• Lack of concentration
• Sexual dysfunction
• Heavy periods

In certain cases, low iron levels may also cause the desire to chew ice, or eat other peculiar non food items, like paper, mud and clay. This is a condition called pica. The side effects of low iron in women may also include frequent infections and hair loss.

Treatment
If the condition is not congenital, or caused as a result of another medical condition, the treatment of low iron in women is fairly simple, and aims at bringing iron levels to normal. This can be done in a number of ways, the easiest being modifications in diet to include iron enriched food such as dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, cereal fortified with iron, eggs, beans, nuts and certain dried fruits like prunes, raisins and apricots among others. Taking iron supplements can also help. In severe conditions, blood transfusions and iron injections may be required. Many pregnant women are put on prophylactic iron supplements.

Low iron symptoms are common enough to warrant regular investigation, to ensure fitness and overall health. Following a healthy and balanced diet will go a long way in making sure you get your fair share of each of the major food groups. Pay attention to your body and the symptoms that manifest to arrest a situation before it becomes a cause for concern. Follow a healthy lifestyle and you have no reason to fear the development of iron deficiency.