What can be mistaken for iron deficiency?

What can mimic low iron symptoms?

Can iron deficiency be misdiagnosed?

Iron deficiency is commonly misdiagnosed. The usual error is misinterpretation of the laboratory features of the anaemia of chronic disease. The serum iron is low, but the iron binding capacity is normal and ferritin is normal or high.

Why am I iron deficient but not anemic?

Causes of Non-anaemic Iron Deficiency (Aetiology) Inadequate intake (nutritional iron deficiency): Plant-based diets with little meat. Low calorie intake in relation to iron requirement - eg, growing children, pregnant young women and the elderly.

Can anemia be a symptom of something else?

Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV / AIDS , rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease and other acute or chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells. Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia Signs & Symptoms (ex. Fatigue, “Spoon Nails”, Cracked Lips)

What 3 conditions would cause anemia?

What is the number one symptom of anemia?

Anemia occurs when there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body's organs. As a result, it's common to feel cold and symptoms of tiredness or weakness. There are many different types of anemia, but the most common type is iron-deficiency anemia.

Why am I suddenly iron deficient?

Common causes of iron deficiency include not getting enough iron in your diet, chronic blood loss, pregnancy and vigorous exercise. Some people become iron deficient if they are unable to absorb iron. Iron deficiency can be treated by adding iron-rich foods to the diet.

Why do I suddenly have low iron?

There are many things that can lead to a lack of iron in the body. In men and post-menopausal women, the most common cause is bleeding in the stomach and intestines. This can be caused by a stomach ulcer, stomach cancer, bowel cancer, or by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What cancers cause iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia “may be the red flag that leads a health care provider to search for cancer,” says Francis, since it's typically caused by blood loss, which often occurs in colon cancer and uterine cancer but is less commonly in bladder cancer.

Can leukemia be mistaken for iron deficiency?

Leukemia can cause a person to experience symptoms of anemia. Additionally, while symptoms can vary by type, a 2021 article lists the following as symptoms of leukemia: bleeding. bruising.

Are iron blood tests accurate?

With a few exceptions, including events of inflammation or anemia of chronic disease, a blood test measuring SF can provide an accurate surrogate measure of iron stored in organs and non-blood tissue throughout the body.

Can hormones cause low iron?

These data imply that in addition to increased bone resorption caused by estrogen deficiency, increased iron could be a factor that slows down bone formation in postmenopausal women. Menstruation and insufficient dietary iron uptake are considered main causes of iron deficiency in young women.

Does stress cause low iron?

There are about one billion patients with iron deficiency anaemia all over the world. Recently, researchers have reported successively that stress can cause decrease of serum iron, in consistent with our studies showing that heat exposure and acceleration stress led to significant decrease of serum iron in rats.

When should I worry about low iron?

You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause you to have unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice, dirt or paper.

Is low iron concerning?

Iron is a mineral that's part of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs and throughout the body. If your body doesn't have enough iron, it won't get enough oxygen, and your cells (which are powered by oxygen) won't be able to function efficiently.

What happens if low iron goes untreated?

Undiagnosed or untreated iron-deficiency anemia may cause serious complications such as fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. Iron-deficiency anemia can also make other chronic conditions worse or cause their treatments to work poorly.

How quickly can iron deficiency develop?

Iron deficiency anemia usually develops slowly because it may take several months for the body's iron reserves to be used up. As the iron reserves are decreasing, the bone marrow gradually produces fewer red blood cells.

What does an anemic episode feel like?

Headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness can all be symptoms of anemia caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. For some people, this may even lead to fainting.

What is the second most common cause of anemia?

Anemia of inflammation is the second most common type of anemia, after iron-deficiency anemia.

What are the two most common causes of iron deficiency anemia in adults?

Common causes of iron deficiency anemia are blood loss (most common) and decreased absorption of iron from food. Blood loss — The source of blood loss may be obvious, such as in people who have heavy menstrual bleeding or a person with a known bleeding ulcer.

What is the root cause of anemia?

Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction. Conditions that may lead to anemia include: Heavy periods. Pregnancy.

Can low iron change your mood?

Iron is involved in many neurological activities and deficiency is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as developmental problems [2, 10]. In the present study, iron supplementation was shown to mitigate the risk of psychiatric disorders.

Does low iron cause thyroid problems?

The body is dependent upon iron to convert thyroxine (T4) into the active hormone triiodothyronine (T3) via thyroid peroxidase (TPO). As such, low iron levels can impede thyroid function and patients can present with hypothyroid-like symptoms.

What causes low iron symptoms female?

Women may have low iron levels from bleeding caused by: Digestive system problems, such as ulcers, colon polyps, or colon cancer. Regular, long-term use of aspirin and other over-the-counter pain relievers. Donating blood too often or without enough time in between donations for your body to recover.