Symptoms of the conditions (associated with bleeding) that cause iron deficiency anemia include: Dark, tar-colored stools or blood in the stool.
You may notice bright red blood when you move your bowels. This may mean that you are losing blood from your lower gastrointestinal tract, which may cause you to have an iron deficiency. You may notice the presence of black, tarry or maroon stools when you have a bowel movement.
Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits, vegetables, and fibre each day. Iron pills can change the colour of your stool to a greenish or grayish black. This is normal.
It is not uncommon for an iron deficiency to present alongside uncomfortable gut symptoms like gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. And while there is no evidence that supports that low iron levels directly cause GI symptoms, iron deficiency can often result from digestive disorders.
You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause you to have unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice, dirt or paper.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia
The most common symptoms include: tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy) shortness of breath. noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
The most common side effects associated with iron supplementation are GI-related events such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.
You may also find that low iron causes weight gain. There are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, your energy levels are low and so your exercise levels reduce; secondly, iron is essential for thyroid function, and an underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain.
In general, patients with iron deficient anemia should manifest a response to iron with reticulocytosis in three to seven days, followed by an increase in hemoglobin in 2-4 weeks.
Although you won't feel the benefits of taking ferrous sulphate instantly, it won't take too long to show its effects. In most cases, people begin to see signs of improvement in iron deficiency symptoms after around 1 week. The full effects are likely to be felt within 4 weeks of taking the supplement.
Iron pills typically start to work within 3 to 7 days. However, your test readings won't go up right away. Hemoglobin blood levels generally go up after 2 to 4 weeks. Symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and headache should start to improve during this timeframe.
Sometimes, blood loss is so slow that you don't get a diagnosis until you develop anemia. Faster bleeding often shows up in your poop. It might look jet black, sticky, or as streaks of blood.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey describes iron deficiency in women as a low concentration of ferritin (<12 ng/mL). Diagnosis prompts consideration of the cause of IDA (usually, bleeding).
With low iron, your body cannot manufacture enough hemoglobin in red blood cells to allow them to transport oxygen. It causes fatigue and shortness of breath. The connection between low iron, body weight, and hemoglobin is apparent when low energy makes exercising and burning calories difficult, causing weight gain.
One way iron deficiency anaemia can impact your weight is through thyroid function and metabolism [10]. Your thyroid hormone and metabolism are responsible for helping your body burn calories, so naturally, if they are underactive, this can lead to weight gain.
Excess iron is stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
However, oral iron supplements may cause or worsen constipation. Experts suggest that unabsorbed iron in the gut may cause stools to harden and other gastrointestinal side effects, such as pain and bloating. A person should consult a doctor before supplementing iron or if they think they have constipation.
Common causes of iron deficiency include not getting enough iron in your diet, chronic blood loss, pregnancy and vigorous exercise. Some people become iron deficient if they are unable to absorb iron. Iron deficiency can be treated by adding iron-rich foods to the diet.
Vitamin C increases absorption of both heme and non-heme iron absorption. Four ounces (1/2 cup) of orange juice is enough to increase iron absorption. Other sources of vitamin C include citrus fruit, fresh bell peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, and fresh broccoli.