More than one-third of women of reproductive age aren’t getting enough iron and have the low iron levels in their blood to prove it. And while you might think a problem of this scale would generate lots of attention, the opposite is often true. In many cases, iron deficiency in women goes undiagnosed for years.
Women are much more likely to have low iron than men. Menstruation and pregnancy can both contribute to the condition. Knowing the signs to look for can help you get diagnosed (and treated) before low iron turns into iron-deficiency anemia.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?
The main reason iron deficiency in women often goes undiagnosed is that the symptoms are often vague and easily ignored. You may write them off as just a normal part of your monthly cycle, the result of not getting enough sleep or signs of perimenopause.
But ignoring the symptoms can lead to health issues. Your body needs iron to produce red blood cells. Those cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron also plays a role in how your organs, immune system and other important body systems function.
Be on the lookout for these signs that you might be low on iron:
- Brain fog
- Brittle nails
- Cold hands and feet
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Irregular heartbeat
Should I get tested for iron deficiency?
Certain people are at higher risk than others for iron deficiency. Being female (especially of reproductive age) is the number one risk. But other risk factors for low iron include:
- Bariatric surgery
- Celiac disease
- Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Endometriosis
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
If you are experiencing symptoms of low iron — and have any risk factors — it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about testing. Checking iron levels isn’t a standard part of a typical blood test you may have during your annual physical. But your doctor can order tests that measure the levels of ferritin (stored iron) and hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells).
If either of those measures is low, your doctor may recommend further testing to determine what’s causing your low iron levels. Having low iron doesn’t necessarily mean you have anemia, but it can lead to anemia if not treated.
How to treat iron deficiency
If testing indicates that your iron levels are too low, you’ll need to start consuming more iron and also determine the cause of your deficiency.
To bump up your iron levels, your doctor may recommend taking iron supplements. If you need to take supplemental iron, follow your doctor’s instructions about how much and when to take it. You absorb iron supplements best if you take them on an empty stomach, but they can also cause some stomach upset.
You should also focus on increasing the amount of iron in your diet. Foods rich in iron include:
- Beans
- Beef
- Broccoli
- Chicken
- Dark, leafy greens (such as spinach and kale)
- Dates
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Tuna
Your doctor may want to do some additional testing to determine why you are low on iron. You may have:
- Colonoscopy to check for bleeding in your intestinal tract
- Ultrasound to look for endometriosis or other gynecologic issues
- Testing for celiac disease
If you’re feeling low energy, foggy or just not like yourself, don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor and find out if low iron is to blame — and how to fix it.
