Iron Deficiency

What is Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency means your body doesn't have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your tissues. Without enough iron, you may feel tired, weak, or short of breath.

Common Symptoms

You might notice these signs if your iron levels are low:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Pale skin or pale inner eyelids
• Dizziness or shortness of breath
• Headaches or restless legs
• Hair loss or thinning
• Brittle nails or unusual cravings like ice or clay (pica)
• Extra tiredness during pregnancy
• Irritability, slow growth, or poor focus in children

Causes

Iron levels can drop for several reasons:

• Poor dietary intake (low in red meat, beans, or leafy greens)
• Blood loss (heavy periods, ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding)
• Reduced absorption (celiac disease, gastric surgery)
• Rapid growth spurts in children
• Increased needs during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Treatment Options for Iron Deficiency in Cypress

Treatment includes dietary changes, supplements, and medical therapy:

• Dietary changes: Incorporate iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, beans, spinach and fortified cereals; pair with vitamin C sources (citrus fruits, bell peppers) to boost absorption.
• Oral supplements: Take prescribed iron salts (ferrous sulfate, gluconate or fumarate) with meals to minimize stomach upset; follow your doctor's dosing schedule for best results.
• IV iron therapy: Receive intravenous iron infusions for rapid repletion-ideal for patients with severe deficiency, poor oral tolerance or malabsorption issues.
• Follow-up blood tests: Monitor ferritin and hemoglobin levels regularly to track treatment progress and adjust therapy as needed.
• Ongoing support: Work with our gastroenterology team to address underlying causes (GI bleeding, heavy periods, poor absorption) and prevent recurrence.