Iron Infusion

iron deficiency (ID) occurs when absorption of dietary iron is not sufficient to cover the loss of iron and the body’s iron requirements.

The average person has 3,000-4,000mg of iron in the body. Every day, 1-2mg is lost and 1-2mg is absorbed and utilised. Every 1ml of blood contains 0.5mg of iron and excess blood loss is the key cause of the iron deficiency. If iron deficiency is not treated, it may lead to impaired quality of life, a weakened immune system, and ultimately result in anaemia.

ROLE OF IRON

Oxygen transportation around the body (within haemoglobin)

Oxygen utilisation by all cells in our body (giving us energy)

DIAGNOSING IRON DEFICIENCY

Serum ferritin is one of the most reliable markers for iron deficiency.

A simple Iron Profile blood test will let you know if your iron levels are healthy within a week.

Healthy level of iron –> Serum Ferritin at > 100ng/mL

Low level of iron –> Serum Ferritin at 31 – 100ng/mL

Absolute iron deficiency –> Serum Ferritin < 30 ng/Ml

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HAIR LOSS
Fatigue

Iron deficiency may reduce the body’s oxygen delivery capacity, which results in a state of fatigue. Muscles (myoglobin) also require iron for all aerobic activities.

Hair loss

Iron is an essential element of hair growth. Usually, hair loss is one of the first symptoms of iron deficiency and is associated with Serum Ferritin levels falling below <70ng/ml.

Headaches

When deprived of oxygenated blood, the muscles in the face, neck and/or shoulders may become tense, which can result in more frequent headaches.

Frequent Infections

When iron is deficient, it is difficult for the body to defend itself against infections, which may result in more frequent common colds, flu and/or infections.

UNCOMMON SYMPTOMS OF HAIR LOSS
Craving for ice (a.k.a. pica)

Pica is a term used to describe craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value such as ice.

Restless leg syndrome

An uncomfortable and strange sensation in legs and feet, particularly when resting may be related to the restless leg syndrome. Many sufferers feel the need to move their legs to get rid of the feeling.

CAUSES OF IRON DEFICIENCIES

Being Female – 1 in 3 women are affected.

Heavy Menses – Women of childbearing age lose approximately 60-80ml of blood (30-40mg of iron) every month in a regular cycle, which is offset by the iron absorbed from a healthy diet.

Pregnancy – approximately 40% of women are iron deficient when falling pregnant. Oral iron supplements aren’t always sufficient to replete the iron deficit.

Chronic Disease- Diseases (such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.) upregulate a peptide called hepcidin, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb iron from one’s diet.

Vegetarian Diet- Vegetable (or plant) forms of iron are poorly absorbed by our bodies.

Regular Blood Donation- Every 1ml of blood donated contains 0.5mg of iron. A usual donation will cost 350-450ml blood, which equates to ~200mg of iron. This is approximately equivalent to 100 days (or 3 months) of iron absorbed from an optimal diet.

GI disturbances- Stomach Acid / GI disturbances may lead to reduced absorption of iron from food (or tablets). Some GI diseases can lead to blood loss which in turn increases the loss of iron.

Endurance Exercise- Exercise, particularly high intensity and endurance training increases iron losses by as much as 70% due to heavy sweating plus increased blood loss in the urine and GI tract

TREATING IRON DEFICIENCY

The decision to use oral or intravenous (IV) iron can be influenced by a number of variables, including the severity of the patient’s condition, the cost and accessibility of various iron replacement products, and the patient’s tolerance of oral iron preparations.

Note: A session of IV iron equivalent to 9 months of Oral iron supplements provides rapid correction of iron deficiency and/or anaemia with symptomatic relief in a matter of weeks.