Always Tired - It Could Be Iron-Deficient Anemia

The most common complaint I hear is that people always feel tired. In fact, most people seem to think feeling tired all the time is just a normal part of modern life. Fortunately, this isn't so.

There are many causes of chronic tiredness. Sometimes it's obvious, like not getting enough sleep, but other times it can be due to an underlying health issue. Chronic tiredness can be a frustrating condition. There usually isn't a simple solution to it and any medical tests are likely to come back 'normal'.

In this article I'm going to explore iron-deficient anemia, how it can cause chronic tiredness and who is most at risk.

Other symptoms of iron-deficient anemia include:

You feel particularly tired after exercising

You may have a malabsorption problem (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease) which can cause internal bleeding and anemia

You are more prone to catching colds, infections and the flu

You may often feel cold and look pale or generally unwell

Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body.
Iron deficient anemia is the most common type of anemia. It happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. You need iron to make hemoglobin.

It's possible to be iron deficient without having anemia. Iron deficiency develops gradually and occurs when the dietary iron intake does not meet the daily need for iron. Initially the storage form of iron becomes depleted, while the blood hemoglobin level (a marker of iron status) remains normal. People who are iron deficient have no iron stores to mobilize if the body requires more iron.

How does iron deficiency progress to iron deficient anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is an advanced stage of iron depletion. It occurs when storage sites of iron are deficient and blood levels of iron cannot meet daily needs. Blood hemoglobin levels are now below normal.

Who is most at risk for iron deficiency and iron-deficient anemia?

Women of childbearing age. This is due to 2 main reasons. Firstly, they loose blood each month with menstruation. Secondly, they are the group most likely to diet and unfortunately protein and meat are commonly reduced in the erroneous belief that they are fattening.

Pregnant women - the growing baby uses the mother's iron stores.

Infants and toddlers - especially if they are fussy eaters

Athletes - due to the increased needs for oxygen.

People who lose abnormal amounts of blood (heavy menstruation, people with gastro-intestinal bleeding)

People with kidney disease - people with kidney failure, especially those being treated with dialysis, are at high risk for developing iron deficiency anemia because their kidneys cannot create enough erythropoietin, a hormone needed to make red blood cells. Both iron and erythropoietin can be lost during kidney dialysis.

People who have a low intake of dietary iron (fussy eaters, vegetarians)

People with malabsorption and digestive problems who can't absorb the iron that they eat. Most iron is absorbed in the small intestines. Gastrointestinal disorders that result in inflammation of the small intestine may result in diarrhea, poor absorption of dietary iron and iron depletion.

People who have deficiencies of vitamin A. This nutrient helps mobilize iron from its storage sites, so a deficiency of vitamin A limits the body's ability to use stored iron. This results in an "apparent" iron deficiency because hemoglobin levels are low even though the body can maintain normal amounts of stored iron.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.