Have you been extremely tired lately? Maybe you can hardly make it up a flight of stairs without losing your breath, even though your fitness level is good? You might be iron deficient, particularly if you’re a woman.
Low iron levels are among the most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide. Why is iron so important and what happens when your body isn’t getting enough?
Why Do We Need Iron?
Iron is an essential nutrient that aids in the transport of oxygen throughout our bodies. It is an essential component of haemoglobin, which is what transports oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our bodies in red blood cells.
As you can imagine, an iron deficiency means the body is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells. When we don’t have enough red blood cells, it creates a condition known as iron-deficiency anaemia. Without the right amount of red blood cells, the body isn’t getting enough oxygen, which can create fatigue or exhaustion.
This fatigue and exhaustion can affect everything, including the body’s ability to fight off infections through a healthy immune system.
Iron is also important in the production and maintenance of healthy skin, nail, and hair cells.
How Much Iron Do We Need?
Iron requirements vary depending on factors such as gender, age, and overall health.
Babies need more iron than adults do since their bodies are growing fast. During childhood, boys and girls need the same amount of iron – between 10-8mg daily between ages 4-13.
Beginning at puberty, females need more iron than males due to the monthly blood loss with menstruation. Women from ages 19-50 require 18mg of iron daily, while men only need 8mg.
Post-menopause, women need only 8mg of iron daily.
Other factors also influence daily iron needs. Some instances where you may need more iron include:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Kidney failure or dialysis
- Ulcers
- Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
- Use of antacids
- Bariatric surgery
- Intense exercise
- Vegetarian or vegan
Signs You Might Have An Iron Deficiency
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Cold hands and feet
- Strange cravings such as clay or dirt
- Brittle nails and hair
- Sores near the corners of the mouth
- Sore tongue
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tired or exhausted
Do You Need to Take an Iron Supplement?
Iron is contained in many of the foods we eat on a daily basis. Red meat, beans, dried fruit, spinach, and fortified cereals all contain iron. Still, this may not be sufficient depending on your iron needs. An iron supplement might be the right option for you after discussing it with your doctor.
Side Effects of Iron Supplements
Unfortunately, ferrous iron supplements cause a lot of unpleasant side effects. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation are all common. Pregnant women are particularly prone to the side effects of iron supplements.
For people who can’t tolerate the side effects of ferrous iron supplements, Maltofer iron tablets in Australia are a good alternative.
Always consult with your doctor when adding iron supplements to your diet. Your doctor should monitor your iron levels with blood tests while taking the supplements to see if there is an improvement.