It is estimated that around 20 out of every 100 Portuguese women have anemia - a health condition in which the number and size of erythrocytes (red blood cells) or the concentration of hemoglobin (blood protein) in the blood is below the reference values.

WHAT IS HEMOGLOBIN?

Hemoglobin is one of the components of red blood cells. Its main function is to "grab" oxygen so that it can be distributed to all the body's cells. When iron levels are low, hemoglobin isn't formed in the required quantity, causing oxygen distribution throughout the body to be compromised.

WHAT ABOUT FERROPENIC ANEMIA?

When hemoglobin values are lower than recommended, we are dealing with anemia. If this is due to a lack of iron, which is needed to form hemoglobin, it is called ferropenic anemia. The main causes are

• A diet low in iron;
• Our body can't absorb enough iron - due, for example, to some diseases such as celiac disease;
• Loss of a large amount of blood;
• Pregnancy

 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Ferropenic anemia tends to go unnoticed at first, with no symptoms other than tiredness. However, as the anemia progresses, other symptoms begin to appear, such as pallor; headaches; shortness of breath; brittle nails; pica (the desire to eat non-food products such as dirt, clay or paper) and phagophagia (the desire to eat ice).

We have anemia when the hemoglobin values are:

 

Reference by gender or health status	Reference values
MEN (over 15)	13 g/dl
WOMEN (over 15)	12 g/dL
GRACED	11 g/dL

However, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor assesses the levels and characteristics of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and iron in the blood through blood tests. Depending on the results of the tests, additional examinations may be necessary to identify the cause of the anemia more accurately.

IF DIAGNOSED...

The first step in dealing with anemia is always to find out what's causing it.

Diet is often the cause of anemia, which is why it is essential to adopt a balanced and healthy diet that includes iron-containing foods, such as red meat, poultry, seafood, fish, dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach), beans, grains and nuts. It may also be due to a stage in life when there is an increased need for iron, such as pregnancy.

If anemia has been caused by blood loss, it is essential to understand the source of the bleeding and treat it.

If it is confirmed that the anemia is caused by an iron deficiency, the treatment is the administration of oral or injectable iron-containing drugs or iron supplements. During these treatments, certain measures can be taken during main meals to improve iron absorption, for example:

• Avoid certain foods such as milk, cereals, tea and coffee as they hinder iron absorption,
• Include foods with vitamin C (carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, citrus fruits, kiwi, broccoli, for example) as they increase the absorption of this compound.

Some medicines can also influence the effectiveness of the treatment, so you should always inform your doctor and pharmacist of any other medicines you are taking.

copyright © by the National Association of Pharmacies - Infosaúde

revision: may 2023

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