{"id":104185,"date":"2021-03-30T11:55:17","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T15:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/104185\/what-you-need-to-know-about-iron-deficiency-anemia\/"},"modified":"2025-01-08T13:32:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T18:32:56","slug":"what-you-need-to-know-about-iron-deficiency-anemia","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/104185\/what-you-need-to-know-about-iron-deficiency-anemia\/","title":{"rendered":"What you need to know about iron-deficiency anemia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Iron-deficiency anemia is a medical condition that occurs when your body doesn\u2019t have enough of the mineral iron. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells that helps those cells deliver oxygen to your body. When iron is lacking, hemoglobin is lacking, and this means your body can\u2019t get the amount of oxygen it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helpful information about iron-deficiency (anemia)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iron-deficiency anemia is easily diagnosed and treated \u2014 and very common in females, especially those of childbearing age. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 42% of pregnant women and 30% of nonpregnant women and suffer from this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do so many women of childbearing age have iron-deficiency anemia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who are of childbearing age are at high risk for the condition because of the blood lost during monthly periods. If you have a heavy period, you might be at high risk for this condition. Women who are pregnant are also at high risk for the condition because their bodies are in need of even more iron than usual due to their increased blood volume and the iron and hemoglobin needed for a baby\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A number of other conditions and risk factors can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Individuals who don\u2019t consume enough iron \u2014 found in foods like meat, leafy greens, eggs, and iron-fortified foods \u2014 could be at risk. People who suffer blood loss for other reasons \u2014 such as ulcers or hernias \u2014 or even frequent blood donors can also be at risk. And because iron is absorbed by the body in the small intestine, individuals with disorders that affect the small intestine\u2019s ability to absorb such nutrients can be at risk too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some of the symptoms of anemia? And how is it diagnosed and treated?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mild anemia usually goes unnoticed as some of the common symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia can be easily attributed to other issues or overlooked. But when the condition does worsen, common symptoms may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n