Iron is a nutrient your body needs for many functions, including energy production and immune support. One of iron’s most important jobs, though, is to produce hemoglobin — a molecule in your blood that transports oxygen.
When you don’t have enough hemoglobin, your muscles and tissues can’t get the oxygen they need to work correctly. Because iron deficiency isn’t always apparent, you could be running on fumes, causing your body to work overtime without the required oxygen.
So, in this month’s blog, Elaine Phuah, DO, MBA, FACOI, Leon Tio, DO, MA, FACOI, and the rest of our team at Clover Internal Medicine Associates in Fort Worth, Texas, want to review who’s at risk for iron deficiency, what the condition can look like, and how it’s treated.
Iron deficiency is a very common ailment, especially if you’re a woman with heavy periods or have a diet low in iron.
Additionally, these factors can increase your risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia:
Consuming too much calcium can also keep your body from absorbing iron properly, increasing your risk for iron deficiency.
If you do develop iron-deficiency anemia, you may notice these symptoms that tend to worsen over time:
Because iron plays such a key role in supporting your immune system, you may start developing more infections.
If you recognize that you have one or more of these symptoms of an iron deficiency, schedule a visit at Clover Internal Medicine Associates. We can confirm low iron levels and help identify possible culprits to develop a customized treatment plan.
Here are some of the treatment options we may recommend:
Adding plenty of iron-rich food into your diet, especially if low iron consumption is the reason for your deficiency, can effectively boost your levels of this vital mineral.
Iron-rich foods include red meats, legumes, leafy greens, dried fruits, and iron-fortified cereals.
Sometimes, diet alone won’t restore your iron levels to normal, so we can offer suggestions on some helpful dietary supplements that can boost your iron levels.
If adding iron through diet or supplements isn’t enough because your levels are too low or your digestive tract has difficulty absorbing iron, IV infusion therapy might be right for you.
IV therapy provides you with nutrients intravenously, meaning you can get a high concentration of iron that bypasses your digestive tract and goes right to your bloodstream.
Do you suspect that you’re dealing with low iron levels? Schedule a consultation to learn more about our expert-level treatment and care of vitamin deficiencies by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.
