Are you feeling like the past year has taken all the energy out of you? Exhausted by the relentless Covid everything… It might actually be iron that is the problem.
Iron is a vital trace mineral that is needed in your red cells to help carry oxygen around your body and for muscle development.
Both high and low iron levels in your body can cause similar symptoms, so it’s worth investigating.
If you have low iron, you might experience fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath or a fast heart rate. It’s very common, especially in women, infants and children, vegetarians, vegans and in frequent blood donors.
Common causes of iron deficiency include blood loss, low dietary iron, poor iron absorption and pregnancy. But don’t just start taking iron supplements, because if you’re suffering from iron excess, the supplements will make it worse.
Iron excess is most commonly caused by a genetic condition called Haemochromatosis. It’s common and carried by one in seven Australians. Initially it can be asymptomatic, but the body isn’t great at getting rid of iron so, in excess, it is deposited in all the wrong places, like the liver and heart, and can cause cirrhosis, diabetes and heart failure.
For iron deficiency we find and correct the cause of the deficiency. If it is dietary, we increase iron-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables and red meat. When this isn’t enough, we try iron supplements – all enhanced with vitamin C intake.
If this fails, then iron infusion can be of benefit.
For Haemochromatosis we do the opposite; reduce iron-rich foods and vitamin C and perform venesection (just like blood donation) to help offload the excess iron.
So, if you’re feeling fatigued, speak to your GP. We perform iron infusions as well as venesections, so you needn’t go far from home to get help.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Trevor Kemper is a GP who was born and raised in the Northern Illawarra. After decades working locally he founded Equilibrium Healthcare in Helensburgh, gathering together a lifestyle focussed team to help realise his ambition to create a healthier community. When not doing GP things, he can be found swimming at local rockpools and beaches, or cycling in the National Park, often with a camera in tow.
