Iron deficiency

• Check the blood and the cause. A clinician can assess anaemia and investigate iron loss. Haemoglobin can be normal before stores run low enough to cause anaemia. [1] [2]
• Use food to support intake. Beans, whole grains, meat and fish offer iron; fruit or vegetables help with plant iron absorption. Food may not be enough to correct established anaemia. [1]
• Replace confirmed deficiency. Prescribed tablets restore iron while the clinician follows your response and checks the cause. Do not start high doses solely because you feel tired. [2]

Tiredness, paleness, headaches, palpitations and breathlessness can occur with iron-deficiency anaemia. Restless legs or cravings for ice or other non-food items are sometimes reported. None is a diagnosis on its own. [2]

Arrange assessment for persistent symptoms, heavy periods or possible hidden bleeding. Vomiting blood, black tarry stools, chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness calls for prompt medical help. [2]

Blood loss from heavy periods or the stomach or bowel is a key cause. Pregnancy, too little dietary iron and sometimes impaired absorption also contribute. Eating plant-based food does not automatically mean deficiency. [1] [2]

If the cause is unclear, a clinician may investigate further. Improvement on tablets must not hide continuing blood loss. [2]

The body generally absorbs iron from meat more easily than iron from plant foods. Vitamin C from fruit or peppers with a meal can help absorb plant iron; compounds in grains, beans, tea and coffee can reduce absorption. Beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables help supply iron, but food alone may not correct a diagnosed shortage. [1]

Spinach and pumpkin seeds provide iron but do not treat anaemia on their own. Add fruit or peppers to a plant-based meal if useful. Iron tablets should be matched to the diagnosed cause and treatment advice.

For confirmed iron-deficiency anaemia, a clinician may recommend iron replacement and monitor response; the underlying cause also needs attention. Preparation, amount and duration depend on age, pregnancy, severity, tolerance and applicable clinical guidance. There is no one self-care dose for everyone.[2]

Iron products can cause gastrointestinal effects and accidental ingestion can harm children. Store them securely. Tell a clinician or pharmacist about medicines and supplements because iron can affect absorption of some medicines. Do not change prescribed treatment without advice.

A clinician asks about symptoms, food, periods and possible bleeding. A blood count shows haemoglobin among other things; if the cause is unclear, more tests may follow, for instance for bleeding from the bowel. Normal haemoglobin does not automatically rule out low iron stores. [1] [2]

Book an appointment for persistent symptoms. Significant bleeding, fainting, chest pain or severe breathlessness calls for prompt help. [2]