What is iron deficiency?
In an iron deficiency, there is too little iron in the blood, which affects the body in various ways: Iron is important for oxygen uptake, storage and for many biochemical processes such as cell growth and differentiation.
Iron is stored primarily in the liver, spleen and bone marrow in the form of ferritin and hemosiderin. Transport in the blood takes place via the transport protein transferrin. To assess iron deficiency, it is important to also determine the concentration of these iron storage and transport substances. In the case of iron deficiency, less iron is bound to transferrin. In the laboratory value control, this manifests itself in a reduced “transferrin saturation”.
Iron deficiency during pregnancy
The pregnant woman’s body has to produce up to 40 percent more blood in order to supply the unborn child at the same time. Therefore, a pregnant woman needs almost twice as much iron as non-pregnant women. An iron deficiency therefore develops much more quickly if there is an insufficient supply during this period. To prevent this, doctors usually prescribe iron supplements to pregnant women.
Iron deficiency: symptoms
Stage I
Initially, the level of storage iron decreases, but sufficient red blood cells are still produced. Iron deficiency at this stage is usually asymptomatic.
Stage II
- Burning sensation on the tongue (Plummer-Vinson syndrome)
- pain when swallowing
- brittle hair and hair loss
- itching
- cracked corners of the mouth (rhagades)
- dry skin
Stage III
Iron deficiency: Causes
In most cases, an iron deficiency is caused either by an insufficient intake of iron from food or by a large loss of iron due to bleeding. Monthly menstruation can also lead to an iron deficiency.
Decreased iron intake
Decreased absorption
Decreased iron absorption in the small intestine can have several causes:
- malnutrition in a strict diet or vegetarian diet
- too little gastric acid
- stomach or duodenal ulcer
- other diseases of the intestinal mucosa (celiac disease, chronic diarrhea e.g. in chronic inflammatory bowel disease)
- medications (such as sucralfate, calcium tablets)
- operations (stomach removal, small intestine resection)
- certain foods (e.g. tea)
- heredity (very rare)
Bleeding sources of various localizations are often the cause of increased iron loss. Very heavy menstrual bleeding (hypermenorrhea) or bleeding between periods often leads to iron deficiency in women.
Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, for example in the case of a stomach ulcer, can also lead to severe iron loss.
Increased iron requirement
Do not take iron supplements independently, but only in consultation with the attending physician!
Iron deficiency: diet
Iron deficiency: What to do?
First, a doctor must find the cause of the iron deficiency. Under medical observation, you can increase your iron intake through food. Sometimes it is also necessary to take an iron supplement. However, these are not always well tolerated and can lead to diarrhea and black-colored stools.
