A CBC measures the amount of all components in the blood, including:. The CBC provides information about your blood that is helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. This information includes:. A normal hematocrit range is The normal hemoglobin range is In iron deficiency anemia, the hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are low. Also, RBCs are usually smaller in size than normal. A CBC test is often performed as part of a routine physical examination. It may also be performed routinely before a surgery.
Anemia can usually be confirmed with a CBC test. Your doctor might order additional blood tests to determine how severe your anemia is and help determine treatments.
They may also examine your blood through a microscope. These blood tests will provide information, including:. Ferritin is a protein that helps with iron storage in your body. Low levels of ferritin indicate low iron storage. Transferrin is a protein that transports iron. Certain at-home test kits can check iron levels as well as being able to check ferritin levels and TIBC.
You buy a testing kit online through LetsGetChecked here. If your doctor is concerned that internal bleeding is causing your anemia, additional tests may be needed. One test you may have is fecal occult test to look for blood in your feces. Blood in your feces may indicate bleeding in your intestine. Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy , in which they use a small camera on a flexible tube to view the linings of your gastrointestinal tract.
An EGD test , or upper endoscopy, allows a doctor to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of the small intestine. A colonoscopy , or lower endoscopy, allows a doctor to examine the lining of the colon, which is the lower portion of the large intestine.
These tests can help identify sources of gastrointestinal bleeding. Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding, and uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to experience iron deficiency anemia. Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman bleeds more or longer than women typically bleed during menstruation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , typical menstrual bleeding lasts for 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood lost ranges from 2 to 3 tablespoons. Women with excess menstrual bleeding typically bleed for more than seven days and lose twice as much blood as normal.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , an estimated 20 percent of women of childbearing age have iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant women are even more likely to have iron deficiency anemia because they require greater amounts of blood to support their growing babies. They occur when muscular tumors grow in the uterus.
The condition can usually be corrected easily. However, if anemia or iron deficiency is left untreated, it can lead to other health problems. This can lead to irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, it can lead to heart failure or an enlarged heart. In severe cases of iron deficiency, a child may be born prematurely or with a low birth weight.
If your body is deficient in or unable to absorb and utilise certain nutrients, such as iron or vitamin B12, making diet changes can help manage your levels and prevent anemia. Following a nutritious, iron-rich diet can help prevent common types of anemia and increase your energy levels. Iron is very helpful in boosting the production of hemoglobin, which in turn helps to form more RBCs.
Here is a list of some iron-rich foods that you can include in your diet plan to prevent certain types of anemia:. Heme is an important component of hemoglobin that helps to carry oxygen.
Here are some food items that are considered a good source of folate:. To make sure that the iron and folate you have included in your diet is absorbed completely by the body, you also need to consume foods rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin C is very beneficial in maximising iron and folate absorption. For people with severe anemia, doctors may advise the intake of iron supplements.
While the overall blood volume increases during pregnancy, the liquid or plasma volume increases more than the increase in the red blood cell volume. The result is a lower percentage of red blood cells in the overall blood volume — a change that is reflected in a blood test.
In the United States, a lack of iron stores before and during pregnancy leading to iron deficiency is the most common culprit of anemia. With this type of anemia, the lower iron stores lead to reduced production of hemoglobin the oxygen-carrying component of the red blood cell.
During pregnancy, your body works harder to provide the right nourishment for your growing baby, causing blood volume to increase by about 45 percent. Folate-deficiency anemia is another common kind of anemia that occurs during pregnancy. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects , or cognitive brain problems, during pregnancy.
Vitamin B12 is also used by the body in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is found primarily in fortified foods and animal products like meat, fish, poultry, and eggs.
Some people may have also difficulty processing B12 , which can lead to a deficiency as well. Folate deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency often occur together. If you think you may have a deficiency, your healthcare provider will need to look at lab values to determine what type of anemia you have.
In most cases, anemia is preventable during pregnancy, especially with a diet rich in good nutrition. Prenatal vitamins typically contain most of the micronutrients that you need during pregnancy, including iron and folic acid. Taking a prenatal vitamin once a day is an easy way to help supplement a healthy diet with essential vitamins and minerals for sufficient red blood cell production. If you have low iron levels, your doctor may recommend a separate iron supplement in addition to your daily prenatal vitamin.
Typically, pregnant people need around 27 milligrams of iron daily. You should also avoid taking calcium supplements around the same time as iron supplements, as calcium may prevent your body from properly absorbing iron. Antacids can also interfere with proper iron absorption. Be sure to take iron 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take antacids. Taking your iron supplement with vitamin C will help your body absorb more of the iron. Some supplements even include both to make it easier.
0コメント