Should i be concerned about my low iron levels?

Question

My 15 month old daughter was diagnosed with low iron level. Her level was 10.5 in febraury and 3 months later she is at 11. Should i be concerned?

Answer 1

Yes: Many of the causes of low iron levels are treatable. Most people compensate for low iron levels without symptoms but if the cause leads to worsening levels, then investigating and treating the cause are worthwhile and sensible.

Answer 2

Iron deficiency: Low iron makes you tired, pale, lightheaded, and short of breath. It can cause "pica" (craving something unusual). The most common symptom is munching ice. Additional symptoms include foggy thinking, poor hair and nail growth, itching, and restless legs. Pregnant women with low iron can have children with lower iq scores than if they had adequate iron stores.

Answer 3

Less in or more out: Either lack of iron intake from diet (ie. Vegetarian), lack of iron absorption (ie. Celiac), or iron losses (ie. Bleeding).

Answer 4

Excess loss: If you are a male or post-menopausal female it is imperative that blood loss in the stomach and intestine be excluded. Please see your doctor for that. Other cause could be low intake of iron due to poor diet.

Answer 5

Anemia: The most common would be anemia-related symptoms which include lethargy, fatigue, cold intolerance, and shortness of breath on exertion.

Answer 6

Odd cravings or Pica: Iron deficiency may cause anemia with fatigue, coldness, weakness, decreased exercise tolerance, palpitations and shortness of breath. You may also see changes in hair (color,hair loss or thinning), nails (brittleness, lines, grooves), mouth (stomatitis), tongue (glossitis) and stomach (gastric atrophy/abdominal pain). Unusual cravings (Pica) for ice, starch, clay, or other items may also occur.

Answer 7

Not strictly: Low iron levels produce anemia. Anemia when severe can kill, but that occurs very rarely since symptoms usually bring you to the doctor early. Body is very good at maintaining iron levels. It is typical for menstruating and pregnant females to have mild iron deficiency and sometimes anemia. This is usually treated with a little iron replacement or meds to reduce menstrual loss.

Answer 8

Can cause anemia: Low iron levels lead to anemia, which depending on how severe can make you feel weak, tired and if severe bleeding occurs, it can lead to death.

Answer 9

Theoretically, yes: You'd have to have REEEEAAAALLLLLY low iron levels to do this, but REEEEAAAALLLLY severe anemia of very long standing could conceivably put you into high-output cardiac failure which if prolonged over a few years could cause cardiac arrest.

Answer 10

Not really.: Very low iron levels could lead to anemia which if severe enough could cause you to feel fatigued. You could try 325 mg iron supplement each day and see if that make you feel better.

Should i be concerned about my low iron levels?

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