I have had a diagnosed iron deficiency anemia for about 2 years now and it's incredibly frustrating but I definitely feel the effects of it on the daily, especially in my luteal phase. Let's talk about it. Iron is a component of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein that is found in our red blood cells and it helps move oxygen to other tissues within our body. But when our iron and/or haemoglobin levels are low we can suffer from what they call iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia (Australian Red Cross).
I suffer from iron deficiency anaemia and this is because when I got my test results back from my doctor they found that my iron levels were just enough to qualify as okay but my haemoglobin levels were quite low. While talking to my doctors they believe this has to with my fibroids and endometriosis causing more blood loss than my body can recover from during the rest of my cycle. About a week before my period, my entire body would plummet in energy to the point I didn't know if I would make it driving to pick up my partner without falling asleep. So I would down about 4-5 cups of black tea just to make sure I could stay awake for that. Common symptoms of an iron deficiency are tiredness, feeling faint, pale skin, and shortness of breath (Australian Red Cross). Another common factor that I have suffered from since my teenage years is dark circles around my eyes.
Almost half of women that I have met has had an iron transfusion at some point and back home, many people have hysterectomies because they become anaemic due to their fibroids or endometriosis. Fibroids and endometriosis can cause severely heavy periods and clotting during your period. My aunt used to pass out from her blood loss and my mother, who had a fibroid, bled for 60 days after my birth which caused her to become anaemic.
A few other reasons (but to limited to) someone could be iron deficient could be lack of meat consumption, malabsorption, pregnancy, anti-inflammatory drugs, stomach ulcers, chronic kidney disease, bowel cancer, or even stomach cancer (NHS inform). For those of you that suffer with endometriosis, fibroids, or significantly horrible cramps but who also have low iron, make sure to check your pain medication. Commonly prescribed are ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, etc.which can lead to stomach ulcers, inflammation of the stomach and stomach bleeding. I have been taking all of these since 5th grade when I started my period and have wondered if it is also a contributing factor to my low iron levels. These anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are quite often taken free willingly because we are in so much pain majority of the time and this is what doctors tell us to take. Just be aware of the possible side effects and consult your healthcare professional if something doesn't feel right. It's not in your head!
An iron deficiency is really common but can cause damage later down the road. It can make your body more susceptible to infection, can develop complications to the lung and/or heart, even heart failure. I am constantly trying to figure out ways to incorporate more iron into my diet so I spend a lot of meals eating:
Dark leafy greens like spinach
Brown Rice
Fish
You can also get iron from eggs, meat, & tofu
Kelp
Beans
An iron deficiency doesn't sound that serious especially when it seems like everyone is dealing with it but in the long term it can leave it with some long health complications. If you have found ways to deal with your iron deficiency let me know what you did! I still have low iron after eating so much iron every day, taking an iron supplement, and paying attention to my periods which actually seem much lighter. So I haven't been able to pin point that no matter what I do my iron levels stay low. Comment below!
Xoxo,
Moonli
n.d. Iron Deficiency Anemia. NHS Inform. <https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/iron-deficiency-anaemia#causes-of-iron-deficiency-anaemia> accessed 9 Jan 2020.
n.d. Iron, Haemoglobin, and Blood Donation. Australian Red Cross. <https://www.donateblood.com.au/iron-health> accessed 9 Jan 2020.
n.d. NSAIDS. NHS Inform. <https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/types-of-medicine/nsaids> accessed 9 Jan 2020.
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