Low Iron Levels

Iron deficiencies are the result of low levels of iron in the body which in turn gives rise to anemia. In anemia, a group of conditions in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is lower than normal, or the red blood cells don't have enough hemoglobin, are seen.

Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein, which gives the red color to blood. It also carries the oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

In case of anemia, the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body. These levels occur in many types of anemia, which have a number of causes. Due to these causes, the body shows certain symptoms which make you realize that your body is experiencing low iron. This condition affects the production of blood in the body.

Iron is absorbed from your food and drink. This absorbed iron is then carried through your blood to the bone marrow, where the blood cells are produced. Some of the iron is combined with particular proteins to make hemoglobin while the spare iron is stored in your liver.

Very small amounts of iron present in your body are lost through discharges like urine, feces, and dead-skin cells. But the major amount of body iron is lost if you lose blood due to many reasons. When you have low levels in your body, your bone marrow produces small red blood cells which do not contain enough hemoglobin.

And therefore, they cannot carry enough oxygen to the organs and tissues, which in turn leads to the symptoms of anemia.

There are often no basic symptoms but when the iron levels in blood are very low, those symptoms of anemia and iron deficiency anemia are as follows:

• Paleness
• Feeling tired
• Unusual shortness of breath during exercises
• Fast heartbeat
• Cold hands and feet
• Brittle nails
• Headaches
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness

The symptoms which are not very common are as follows:

• A short attention span and poor concentration
• Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
• Soreness at the edges of your mouth
• Brittle nails or 'spoon nails' where the middle of your nails are pushed inwards and the edges are raised
• An altered sense of taste

• It can cause anemia commonly by heavy bleeding, usually from an injury or after a surgery. A common cause of anemia in women can also be due to heavy bleeding from long-duration menstruation.

• Anemia can also be developed if you consume aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as there are chances that these can cause stomach bleeding. It may also happen if you have severe digestion problems due to stomach injuries that cause bleeding.

• If your diet doesn't provide you with enough iron, or if the iron in your diet isn't absorbed properly by your system, there are chances of developing anemia.
• Frequent blood drawing because of certain medical purposes or if you are a regular blood donor, could also be one of the causes of anemia.

• Surgery, accidents, and severe injuries can be one of the biggest reasons for anyone to get affected by anemia.
• Low levels in pregnancy are very common because you require more blood which is used by the fetus and your body falls short of iron.

All you can do to minimize or prevent this in your blood and body is to make sure you ingest a good amount of iron. You can do this by eating foods with good iron sources or by taking supplements. So make sure, you are iron fit and healthy!

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.