Dr. Ekaterina Kashukh, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, announced that iron deficiency in the body can lead to anemia, which is accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, and brittle nails. The Russian doctor, in an interview with the newspaper "Izvestia," indicates that this condition in women is usually associated with heavy menstrual bleeding, and post-menopause, with gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, iron deficiency in the body can be caused by its malabsorption in the intestines due to inflammation. Furthermore, a woman's body during pregnancy requires more iron since iron is involved in the formation of red blood cells and the growth of the fetus.
She adds that an unbalanced diet can also cause iron deficiency. To ensure stable iron levels in the body, one should add meat, liver, lentils, spinach, pomegranate, and dried apricots to their diet. It is important to note that the body absorbs only about 10 percent of the iron obtained from foods, and the iron found in animal products is absorbed better than that found in plant products.
The expert points out that individuals usually do not feel iron deficiency. Therefore, to prevent complications, it is essential to conduct a blood test once a year to determine iron levels. Based on the results of the test, the doctor prescribes suitable dietary supplements and medications for the patient's health condition. She clarifies that if iron deficiency persists for a long time, a person will experience shortness of breath, confusion, and irregular heartbeats. Therefore, timely diagnosis of the cause will help initiate treatment early, raise this element's levels, and improve the patient’s health status.
