Iron deficiency is common in athletes, especially female athletes. One main reason for that is the blood lost during a woman's monthly period. When iron deficiency becomes severe, it can result in anemia, a condition in which the body has a shortage of red blood cells. Iron is a key part of the molecules hemoglobin and myoglobin, which carry oxygen throughout the body and deliver it to the muscles.
Iron is stored in many parts of the body, including the liver, bone marrow and muscle. Some girls and women are more likely to have low iron levels because of blood loss during menstruation. Those who experience particularly heavy menstrual bleeding are at highest risk.
Overall, experts estimate that up to one-quarter of female athletes are iron deficient. Younger athletes who are still growing may also require higher levels of iron to stay healthy. Athletes who are dieting and restricting caloric intake, as well as those who are vegetarian or vegan, may not have enough iron in their diets.
Endurance athletes, especially distance runners, are also at increased risk because they are thought to lose iron through microscopic intestinal bleeding as well as tiny broken blood vessels in the soles of their feet.
Iron deficiency and anemia are not the same thing. Our bodies need iron to function. Well-known symptoms of iron deficiency include poor concentration, fatigue and mood changes. Women are more affected by iron deficiency anaemia than men because they lose iron during their periods and need more when pregnant or breastfeeding. In the UK, one in four women becomes anaemic in pregnancy.
The consequences of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy are alarming. In cases of severe anaemia, our research found that the condition can double the risk of death for the mother.
In less severe cases, iron deficiency anaemia can lead to low birth weight , early delivery and poor brain development in babies. The treatment for iron deficiency is simple: give iron. Iron tablets are often the first-line treatment as they are cheap and readily available. Many doctors prescribe iron tablets for anaemic women, especially those who are pregnant. Many national and international guidelines suggest that iron should be given prophylactically.
Blood in your feces may indicate bleeding in your intestine. Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy , in which they use a small camera on a flexible tube to view the linings of your gastrointestinal tract. An EGD test , or upper endoscopy, allows a doctor to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of the small intestine.
A colonoscopy , or lower endoscopy, allows a doctor to examine the lining of the colon, which is the lower portion of the large intestine. These tests can help identify sources of gastrointestinal bleeding. Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding, and uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to experience iron deficiency anemia.
Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman bleeds more or longer than women typically bleed during menstruation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , typical menstrual bleeding lasts for 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood lost ranges from 2 to 3 tablespoons. Women with excess menstrual bleeding typically bleed for more than seven days and lose twice as much blood as normal.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , an estimated 20 percent of women of childbearing age have iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant women are even more likely to have iron deficiency anemia because they require greater amounts of blood to support their growing babies.
They occur when muscular tumors grow in the uterus. The condition can usually be corrected easily. However, if anemia or iron deficiency is left untreated, it can lead to other health problems. This can lead to irregular heartbeat.
In severe cases, it can lead to heart failure or an enlarged heart. In severe cases of iron deficiency, a child may be born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Most pregnant women take iron supplements as part of their prenatal care to prevent this from happening. Infants and children who are severely deficient in iron may experience delayed growth and development.
They may also be more prone to infections. Iron tablets can help restore iron levels in your body. If possible, you should take iron tablets on an empty stomach, which helps the body absorb them better. If they upset your stomach, you can take them with meals. You may need to take the supplements for several months.
Iron supplements may cause constipation or black stools. Additionally, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. A doctor may prescribe birth control pills to women who have heavy periods. This can reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding each month. In the most severe cases, a blood transfusion can replace iron and blood loss quickly.
When caused by inadequate iron intake, iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating a diet high in iron-rich foods and vitamin C. Mothers should make sure to feed their babies breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula. Diagnosing and treating iron deficiency anemia by yourself can result in adverse health effects due to too much iron in your blood.
The complications from too much iron in your blood include liver damage and constipation. If you have symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, talk to your doctor instead.
If you're not getting enough iron, you may develop iron-deficiency anemia. Here are 10 signs and symptoms that you're deficient in iron.
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