How Is Iron Deficiency Linked to Being Tired?

Introduction

We all live in hectic times and its natural to feel tired after a long day's work. But if youre feeling tired all the time - like after a good night's sleep or minimal work, then maybe there's an underlying condition that people often overlook - iron deficiency. People brush off fatigue as stress or blame it on a bad sleep the previous night. But the cause is probably hidden deeper in your blood. Iron deficiency is a very common issue all over the world; and fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms to appear.

What Is Iron and Why Does the Body Need It?

Iron is a highly essential mineral that has a bunch of different functions. One of the biggest ones is making hemoglobin. Hemoglobin a wiggly, pretzel-like protein, made up of different types of "chains". Each of these 4 chains contains a "heme" group that holds on to an iron molecule. This hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells and their main job is to transport oxygen from lungs to different parts of the body.

So, when there's not enough iron, your body cant make enough healthy red blood cells. This leads to problems in oxygen transportation to different organs and tissues.

Oxygen is the literal life force that fuels the muscles, brains, organs and tissues. When there's decreased oxygen in the body, the body starts struggling to perform even the simplest of tasks.

This is why iron deficiency often causes symptoms like:

• Constant tiredness and fatigue

• Weakness

• Difficulty in concentration

• Feeling short of breath with minimal effort

• Hair loss

• Hands and feet that always seem cold

• Pica: craving for ice or ice chips

• Weak nails

• Pale skin and headaches, dizziness

While these can seem harmless by themselves, together they can signify your body's call for help. Many people experience these symptoms for months before realizing iron deficiency is the cause.

Who Is More Likely to Be Iron Deficient?

Iron deficiency is more common in:

• People with heavy menstrual bleeding

• Pregnant women

• Vegetarians or vegans with low iron intake

• Individuals with poor absorption or chronic blood loss

• Adolescents, children and infants

• Hookworm infestation

• Chronic GI issues that hamper intestinal absorption of iron

How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

Iron deficiency can be easily diagnosed by a doctor through blood tests. These tests measure hemoglobin and iron stores like ferritin levels. Sometimes the doctor may recommend further tests to rule out different causes of anemia/iron deficiency anemia based on your symptoms. Treatment depends mainly on the cause. It may include dietary changes to include iron rich foods like red meats, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, nuts and dried fruits. They may also recommend iron supplements like oral medication or injections/IV based supplements.

The good news is that once identified, iron deficiency is usually treatable depending on the cause.

Sources:

1. Iron deficiency - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006497120428897

2. Review on iron and its importance for human health - PMC https://share.google/6G3CtQjjMnmwpM5YI

Image: Google

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board