As with any health condition, it's important to understand the exact cause of iron-deficiency anemia to ensure proper treatment. You can make dietary adjustments — adding iron-rich foods such as meat, fish, poultry, spinach and broccoli. Iron supplements are another common treatment. However, Dr. Adoo stressed the importance of follow-up testing to ensure the supplements are effective because some people cannot absorb iron supplements. When that's the case, iron may need to be given intravenously.
The overall causes of anemia vary, whether they're related to iron deficiency or vitamin deficiency. Stomach surgery such as gastric bypass surgery for weight loss can alter the body's ability to absorb iron and vitamin B As a result, individuals who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are subject to both types of deficiency-related anemia. Even though supplements are widely available in supermarkets and pharmacies, they can do more harm than good.
The only way to know if you have iron deficiency is through a blood test. A blood test will reveal whether you have low iron, and where you sit on the iron deficiency spectrum. Other tests may be needed to identify whether there is an underlying cause for low iron, such as impaired absorption. Your doctor may recommend iron supplements if your iron levels are very low, or your requirements are very high. Most people can get enough iron by eating a balanced and varied diet that includes foods from the five food groups.
If your iron levels are low, it can be useful to look at whether you are eating enough iron-rich foods across the day. While these foods are important sources of iron, remember to eat them as part of a balanced and varied diet. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C, particularly if eaten raw.
You could add capsicum to your beef stir fry, orange wedges to your chickpea salad, tomato to your breakfast eggs, or strawberries to your bowl of cereal. The combos are endless! Skip links and keyboard navigation Skip to content Skip to site navigation Skip to footer Use tab and cursor keys to move around the page more information. Site header. Contact us Help. Why am I tired — am I iron deficient? Friday 9 August Feeling tired and wonder if your food has something to do with it? Drinking alcohol and smoking makes it worse.
An underactive thyroid gland means you have too little thyroid hormone thyroxine in your body. This makes you feel tired. You're also likely to put on weight and have aching muscles and dry skin. It's most common in women and happens more often as you get older. Your GP can diagnose an underactive thyroid by taking a blood test. Read more about having an underactive thyroid hypothyroidism. Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley and rye, and can be found in foods like pasta, bread, cakes and cereals.
One in people in the UK are affected, but research suggests many of them don't know they have the condition, according to charity Coeliac UK. Other symptoms of coeliac disease, apart from tiredness, are diarrhoea, bloating, anaemia and weight loss. Your GP can do a blood test to check if you may have coeliac disease. Chronic fatigue syndrome also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME is a severe and disabling fatigue that goes on for at least 4 months. There may be other symptoms, such as muscle or joint pain.
Read more about chronic fatigue syndrome. Other key symptoms are feeling very thirsty, peeing a lot particularly at night and weight loss. Speak to a GP if you think you might have diabetes symptoms. Glandular fever is a common viral infection that causes fatigue, along with fever, sore throat and swollen glands.
Most cases happen in teenagers and young adults. Symptoms usually clear up within 4 to 6 weeks, but the fatigue can linger for several more months. It can stop you falling asleep or cause you to wake up early in the morning, which makes you feel more tired during the day. Read more about clinical depression. You might also have an unpleasant crawling sensation or a deep ache in your legs.
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