Severe iron deficiency anaemia may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure, where your heart is unable to pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.
The liver is a major storage organ of iron, in which excess iron is stored as ferritin and hemosiderin. In addition to these proteins, an additional fraction of free iron is present in the form of the labile iron pool (LIP) within cells.
Iron deficiency can cause problems such as fatigue, poor concentration and anaemia. The best treatment for iron deficiency depends on the cause. Treatments may include eating foods high in iron, eating foods high in vitamin C to help iron absorption, or taking iron supplements.
Undiagnosed or untreated iron-deficiency anemia may cause serious complications such as fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. Iron-deficiency anemia can also make other chronic conditions worse or cause their treatments to work poorly.
It is not uncommon for an iron deficiency to present alongside uncomfortable gut symptoms like gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. And while there is no evidence that supports that low iron levels directly cause GI symptoms, iron deficiency can often result from digestive disorders.
The mechanisms regulating systemic iron homeostasis are largely centred on the liver and involve two molecules, hepcidin and ferroportin, that work together to regulate the flow of iron from cells into the systemic circulation.
Iron absorption occurs through the differentiated epithelial cells (enterocytes) of the mid and upper villus, and predominantly in the proximal part of the small intestine.
The liver performs a major role in iron homeostasis. It is the main organ for the production of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin, expressed in iron excess conditions as well as in cases of inflammation, blocking the absorption of iron from the enterocytes.
Iron deficiency is prevalent in patients with NAFLD and associated with female sex, increased body mass index, and non-white race.
Hepatosplenomegaly refers to swelling and enlargement of the liver and spleen, in the upper abdomen. It can result from an infection, an injury, some types of anemia, and various other health factors.
There is emerging evidence that mild to moderate excess hepatic iron can aggravate the risk of progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and eventually cirrhosis.
Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.
Iron deficiency, which is the commonest type of anemia, has been observed in 22% of patients with compensated cirrhosis and 78% in those with decompensated disease. Apart from anemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia are other abnormal hematological indices seen in patients with cirrhosis.
In general, patients with iron deficient anemia should manifest a response to iron with reticulocytosis in three to seven days, followed by an increase in hemoglobin in 2-4 weeks.
Iron deficiency impairs skeletal muscle metabolism. The underlying mechanisms are incompletely characterised, but animal and human experiments suggest the involvement of signalling pathways co-dependent upon oxygen and iron availability, including the pathway associated with hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF).
These results suggest that estrogen deficiency up-regulates hepcidin, which inhibits intestinal iron absorption, leading to lower serum iron levels, as well as prevents iron release from adipocytes by increasing iron levels in the local adipose.
Hepcidin production is stimulated by iron loading and inflammation (Table 1). Hepcidin increase by iron prevents further iron loading to ensure the maintenance of body iron balance. Inflammatory increase in hepcidin causes acute hypoferremia, which likely has a role in nutritional immunity.
Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits, vegetables, and fibre each day. Iron pills can change the colour of your stool to a greenish or grayish black. This is normal.
IBD has been associated with numerous symptoms and complications, with the most common being iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Iron deficiency in IBD is caused by inadequate intake, malabsorption (including duodenal involvement and surgical removal), and chronic blood loss by mucosal ulcerations.
Low iron levels are commonly found in individuals who have fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, and chronic muscle pain. The American Society of Hematology has suggested that people with iron deficiencies may experience trigger point pain in their muscles that results from a lack of oxygen being delivered to them.
A sudden lack of energy and chronic fatigue are warning signs that you might be lacking enough iron. In order for all of the cells in your body to function efficiently, oxygen needs to be able to travel freely around the body.