A doctor might test your hemoglobin levels to test for iron-deficiency anemia for men, anything below 13 g/dL could be a sign of anemia (for women, it’s anything below 12 g/dL), Or, they might test your iron levels directly - for adults, 10-30 mmol/L is normal, whereas anything below 10 mmol/L is low. If you worry that you’re iron deficient, it’s best to get a blood test to confirm or deny your suspicions. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this can cause a number of signs and symptoms: pale skin, cracked lips, brittle nails, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, irritability, headaches, trouble concentrating, and more.
By some estimates, almost one-third of American women and children don’t have enough iron in their bodies- men have lower iron needs, so deficiency is less common.Ĭhronically low iron levels lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Unfortunately, iron deficiency is relatively common. Iron also plays a role in energy production, growth, brain development, cellular functioning, and the synthesis of certain hormones. In its most famous role, it’s a key component of hemoglobin, a protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Even if you’re not a nutrition buff, you’ve probably heard about the importance of iron.
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