Anemia self-test

Iron is a mineral that plays an important role in health and well-being. Without iron, many bodily functions would not work properly. The most important role of iron is the transport of oxygen in the blood to every cell in the body. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs and transports it through the body.

If your body does not have enough iron, it can not produce enough healthy oxygen that carries red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which means you have too little hemoglobin.

Women of childbearing potential are at higher risk for iron deficiency due to blood loss during menstruation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recommended daily amount of iron is 18 milligrams (mg) for most 19- to 50-year-old women.

Pregnant women should consume 27 mg per day. By contrast, adult men need only about 8 mg of iron per day.

Women who are pregnant need the most iron. The developing baby acts like a parasite that takes iron from the mother, and the mother increases her blood volume to circulate through the baby, creating the baby’s blood volume.

There are two types of iron: heme iron from animal sources and non-heme iron from plant sources. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the blood. Foods that are rich in iron include beef, liver, oysters, beans, fortified grains, and dark leafy vegetables such as spinach.

Inadequate iron levels can cause damage throughout the body. Here are seven startling signs that you may have iron deficiency.

1. Extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Fatigue is one of the most common signs of iron deficiency because it means that your body has problems carrying oxygen to your cells, which affects your energy level.

People who have too little iron in their blood often feel slow, weak and unfocused. Although tiredness can be the sign of many ailments, consider checking your iron level with the anemia self-test if the symptoms do not disappear with enough rest.

2. 2. Frequent infections. Iron plays a key role in a healthy immune system, so lower levels of the mineral can make a person more susceptible to infection. Red blood cells help transport oxygen to the spleen where infections can be fought.

Red blood cells also carry oxygen to the lymph nodes, where there are white blood cells that fight infection. When someone has an iron deficiency, the white blood cells are not so well produced and they are not that strong because they do not get enough oxygen which makes them more susceptible to infection.

3. Pale skin. Hemoglobin gives the skin its pink color, so low concentrations make the skin brighter.
   When red blood cells become iron-poor, they become smaller and paler in the middle, which makes the skin paler. This may be easier to detect in people of fair complexion, but it does not matter if the color of your lower eyelid is paler than usual, this may be a sign of iron deficiency.

4. Swollen tongue. Changes in your tongue, including pain or swelling, may indicate iron deficiency. Cracks on the side of the mouth are also common in people with iron deficiency.
5. Restlessness. Some people with iron deficiency develop a restless leg syndrome, a condition that causes a strong urge to move the legs. The urge is often accompanied by an unpleasant, tingling sensation in the legs that makes sleeping difficult.
6. PICA. People with iron deficiency crave non-nutrients such as clay, dirt or chalk, a condition known as pica.However, cravings and eating these substances can be harmful, as they can lead to the absorption of harmful toxins and substances. Eating clay, lime and dirt can even hamper the absorption of iron.

7. Hair loss. Especially when it comes to anemia, hair loss can occur. If the hair follicles do not get enough oxygen, they go into a resting state, and the hair falls out and does not grow back until the anemia is improved. It is normal to lose about 100 strands of hair per day. However, if you find that your hair loss is excessive and hair does not grow back, it may be a sign of iron deficiency.

If you have these symptoms and think that you have iron deficiency, first do the anemia self-test. If you think you have iron deficiency, consult your doctor. He or she can help you identify the cause of your iron deficiency, find ways to include more iron-rich foods in your diet and determine if you need extra iron