What causes low iron levels in females?

What causes low iron levels in females?

In women of childbearing age, the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is a loss of iron in the blood due to heavy menstruation or pregnancy. A poor diet or certain intestinal diseases that affect how the body absorbs iron can also cause iron deficiency anemia.

How do you fix iron deficiency?

Iron deficiency can’t be corrected overnight. You may need to take iron supplements for several months or longer to replenish your iron reserves. Generally, you’ll start to feel better after a week or so of treatment. Ask your doctor when to have your blood rechecked to measure your iron levels.

What does it mean when your iron levels are low?

If the test results reveal low levels of serum iron and low TSAT, it is indicative of an iron deficiency or anemia. Abnormally high levels of iron in the blood and high TSAT are indicative of hemochromatosis or iron poisoning. Poor eating habits emerge as one of the main reasons for low iron saturation.

What happens to your body when you have iron deficiency anemia?

When you have anemia, your body doesn’t have enough of these blood cells. You get iron deficiency anemia when your body is low in iron. You need iron to make hemoglobin — a protein that helps your red blood cells carry oxygen.

Why is my reticulocyte count low when I have iron deficiency?

If you have iron deficiency anemia, your reticulocyte count is usually low because you’re not making many new red blood cells. If blood tests show you have iron deficiency anemia, you might need other tests like these to see what’s causing it.

What to do if you have low iron saturation?

Treatment Of Low Iron Saturation. Find the underlying cause for low iron saturation. Unless it is not taken care, you may still suffer from anemia even though you take all treatment and food to correct it. Eat a well balanced diet. To normalize the iron saturation in the blood, a person has to eat iron containing food.

What are the dangers of low iron?

When iron levels are low, it is common for individuals to feel tired, easily fatigued, struggle to focus and experience lightheadedness. A lack of iron results in poor blood flow and oxygenation to the brain, which can explain the feelings of lightheadedness and faintness that anemic individuals experience.

What are the problems with low iron?

Other health issues associated with low iron levels are hair loss, brittle finger nails, weak bones, restless legs, stunted growth and altered moods. Interestingly, people who are chronically low in iron sometimes have strange cravings to eat dirt or clay, which contain iron.

What are common symptoms of low iron?

10 Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Unusual Tiredness. This happens because your body needs iron to make a protein called hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells. Paleness. The hemoglobin in red blood cells gives blood its red color, so low levels during iron deficiency make the blood less red. Shortness of Breath. Headaches and Dizziness. Heart Palpitations.

What is considered a low iron level?

Low iron levels vary between individuals and depend on a person’s sex. A score below 26 mcg/dL is outside the normal range for women. For men, a low score is anything below 76 mcg/dL.