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Chronic Iron-deficiency anmia
I have been anemic for as long as I can remember [I'm 20], and was just recently tested to see what type it is, and its iron-deficient anemia. I have been taking extra iron for a long time, and eating foods rich in iron.
I am in the midst of many tests for a chronic illness, which is how I found out I am Iron deficient, and Chron's Disease has been mentioned.
I looked up things about long-term iron deficiency anemia, and it metioned tongue changes [like a sore tongue], and skin changes and nail brittleness.
My nails have become so brittle that the layers split, and the skin around my nails is very dry and easily torn, and I also have a dark brown spot on my thumb near my nail. I also get a sore tongue about once a week for 2 days or so.
On my blood tests, the normal range for the Fe was 37 - 145, and mine was a 14. And as I said, I have been fairly anemic with symptoms for many years.
Is this something I should worry about?
I am in the midst of many tests for a chronic illness, which is how I found out I am Iron deficient, and Chron's Disease has been mentioned.
I looked up things about long-term iron deficiency anemia, and it metioned tongue changes [like a sore tongue], and skin changes and nail brittleness.
My nails have become so brittle that the layers split, and the skin around my nails is very dry and easily torn, and I also have a dark brown spot on my thumb near my nail. I also get a sore tongue about once a week for 2 days or so.
On my blood tests, the normal range for the Fe was 37 - 145, and mine was a 14. And as I said, I have been fairly anemic with symptoms for many years.
Is this something I should worry about?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Iron's main function in our body is to carries oxygen in the red blood cell (inside hemoglobin) to the cells and takes away carbon dioxide. Women have a high demand for iron then men due to monthly menstrual flow. There are 2 types of iron in our food sources, Heme iron and Non-Heme iron. Heme iron is from animal sources and Non-Heme is plant sources. Non-Heme iron have more iron then Heme iron , however, it does not absorbed well into our bodies so it is important to eat foods with Vitamin C and Heme iron foods to enhance absorption. For example, chicken with beans and a fresh orange. Your levels are below normal and check the iron supplement is giving you a daily 100% amount. Eat Vitamin C foods with your iron rich foods to enhance absorption. Make sure you are consuming 1800 calories a day (which you need for your age) of a variety of healthy foods, too. If your levels do not go up in a few months, then get additional testing. Best of luck and thank you for your question.
I also experience hair loss, and have for many months.
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