Category: anemia in pregnancy

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Low Iron In Pregnancy: Symptoms and Treatment

low iron in pregnancy symptoms

Developing iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy can lead to a number of severe complications for both the baby and the mother. There is an increased risk of low birth weight for the baby and a chance of premature delivery. Low iron in pregnancy symptoms leads to reduced muscle function, making physical exertion difficult for pregnant women. There are consequences after birth as well, including increased tiredness and a reduction in milk production.

Low Iron in Pregnancy Symptoms

Low iron reduces the body’s ability to effectively transport oxygen due to reduced red blood cell production. This is of particular concern to pregnant women, whose blood supply can increase up to 50 percent during pregnancy. There are a variety of symptoms that can indicate low iron. Increased tiredness is one of the most common low iron in pregnancy symptoms. Further symptoms can include breathlessness and dizziness.

As trying as these symptoms may be during pregnancy, there are more severe iron deficiency symptoms in some cases. Heart palpitations can occur, leading to further complications and distress. Chest pains are another symptom that is cause for serious concern. Iron deficiency can be verified using a blood test that checks hemoglobin levels.

Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy

Several risk factors can increase a pregnant woman’s chance of developing iron deficiency. Those who have suffered from low iron before pregnancy are at increased risk of developing a more serious deficiency. There are several blood conditions that can contribute to iron deficiency.

Furthermore, gastrointestinal conditions can reduce iron absorption, meaning that the body cannot absorb dietary iron. Risk is also increased in women carrying twins or triplets, women under 20 years of age, and those who have given birth within the previous year.

Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy

Low Iron Treatment During Pregnancy

Prescribed treatments vary by the term of the pregnancy. If a woman is past 36 weeks, there is significant concern that many treatments will not take effect before the birth. In this case, a doctor will often prescribe an intravenous iron infusion directly into the bloodstream. The patient is monitored for at least half an hour after the procedure.

For women at less than 36 weeks of pregnancy, there are more options. In some cases, it can be appropriate to treat iron deficiency through dietary changes. If a woman’s diet is indeed too low in iron, simply increasing the amount of iron-rich food can help.

Iron supplement tablets are also commonly used. These tablets contain iron in the form of an iron salt, typically ferrous sulfate. This directly increases the amount of iron the patient is consuming. The side effects of iron supplements can include nausea, bloating, and constipation. Alternative iron supplements can contain other salts such as ferrous fumarate or iron bisglycinate. While these alternatives are presented as causing fewer side effects, there is still the chance of developing stomach cramps, loss of appetite, and more severe reactions.

All-Natural Supplements

Instead of a direct iron supplement, pregnant women can benefit from an all-natural supplement that increases iron absorption. This allows the body to use more of the dietary iron already being taken in. Those suffering from low iron in pregnancy symptoms can benefit from using IronCatch, an all-natural supplement containing fish oligosaccharides, vitamins, and minerals. While a doctor should be consulted about iron deficiency during pregnancy, IronCatch can provide increased iron absorption without the side effects of other iron supplements.

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Iron Deficiency Skin Problems – Can Low Iron Levels Cause Anemia Rash?

Different types of anemia can lead to a wide variety of side-effects, including rashes. To verify that the condition is caused by blood deficiency, look for other present symptoms. Pale skin, shortness of breath, and fatigue are all symptoms of anemia. If these coincide with a new breakout, it could very well be an anemia skin condition. Consult a doctor or dermatologist if a severe breakout occurs.

Aplastic Anemia Skin Problems

The most common cause of iron deficiency skin problems is aplastic anemia. This specific type of blood deficiency is rare and often serious. Not only is this condition hereditary, but it can also develop in patients with no family history of the condition. The condition is most widespread in Asia, occurring twice as frequently as elsewhere.

Aplastic anemia is caused by a lack of production of new blood cells. The bone marrow produces these cells. The condition leads to a reduction in both red blood cell and platelet numbers. Without enough platelets, patients are prone to bruising and bleeding. In some cases, the apparent rash is actually just a series of bruises, but this isn’t always what’s happening.

Aplastic Anemia Rash

The rash produced by aplastic anemia is composed of patches of red and purple dots. These dots are called petechiae. The dots can be either flat against the skin or slightly raised. While this skin problem can occur anywhere on the body’s surface, the most commonly affected areas are the neck, legs, and arms. There aren’t any severe symptoms associated directly with the skin condition itself, with no itching or pain occurring.

Can Low Iron Levels Cause Anemia Rash

Iron Deficiency Skin Problems Brought on by Anemia

A blood deficiency rash is one of many iron deficiency symptoms. Patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia are prone to developing iron deficiency skin problems. More often than typical skin problems, iron deficiency anemia leads to significant itching of the skin without any visible effect. While those suffering from this itchiness might scratch their skin enough for it to become red, this is not the same as having a rash.

When iron is low, patients can develop more serious iron deficiency skin problems through the cure rather than the disease. Common treatments like ferrous sulfate can lead to skin problems and conditions. If the patient is allergic to ferrous sulfate, they can develop a severe rash and even hives. Skin swelling is also another possible side-effect. These symptoms can occur in any part of the body.

All-Natural Solution IronCatch Avoids Side-effects

Patients shouldn’t have to choose between treating their blood deficiency and avoid any skin problems. They should be able to do both simultaneously. IronCatch is an all-natural supplement that can increase iron levels to mitigate iron deficiency anemia. The product contains no iron. Instead, it uses a blend of vitamins and minerals to improve iron absorption within the body. This means that there’s no ferrous sulfate to cause nasty breakouts and uncomfortable itching. Get better without incurring unwanted side effects with IronCatch, and an all-natural solution for iron deficiency.

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Detecting and curing Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it’s often seen that many woman suffer from iron deficiency. This leads to high-risk factors and symptoms that can cause serious disorders during pregnancy. Lets take a dive and read learn about the various ways of detecting and preventing iron deficiency during pregnancy. 

What causes iron deficiency during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that’s responsible for carrying oxygen to your tissues. While being pregnant you naturally require double the amount of iron for yourself and your baby as compared to non-pregnant women. The body needs more blood to supply enough oxygen to your baby. Therefore, if there’s a shortage of stored iron in your body then woman are more prone to develop anemia.

What harm can iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy cause to the baby?

Deficiency of iron or anemia during pregnancy can be severe. If you have anemia which has not been checked or cured during pregnancy, there is an increased chance of premature birth. Children are often seen to have low body weight with postpartum depression. In some acute cases, it has been seen and very unfortunate circumstances that there is severe complications of an infant at birth. 

anemia during pregnancy

What are the risk factors of anemia in pregnancy?

The factors that cause anemia during pregnancy are:

  • If you are pregnant in quick succession without much gap
  • You are pregnant with more than one baby 
  • Morning sickness or vomiting increases 
  • You’re not taking enough iron supplements 
  • You have pre-pregnancy heavy menstrual flow 
  • Already have a history of anemia before you became pregnant 

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency in pregnancy?

The most common symptoms of anemia or iron deficiency include 

  • Fatigue 
  • Weakness 
  • A pale or yellowish skin 
  • Irregular heartbeats 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Feeling dizzy or light on the head 
  • Occasional or frequent chest pains 
  • Hands and feet remaining cold 
  • Continuous headaches 

Symptoms of anemia are quite similar to that of general pregnancy. It is a good idea to get a screening done to make sure that you are not suffering from iron deficiency. If you are, seek help from your doctor. 

How to prevent iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy?

Most prenatal vitamins contain iron. They help prevent and treat the deficiency of anemia.  Doctors often recommend vitamin b12 for iron deficiency during pregnancy. Your nutritionist will prescribe an iron-rich diet that will include lean red meat, poultry and fish. A breakfast that includes cereal, prune juice, dates, dries beans and apples also help in replenishing iron in the body.

Iron is best absorbed in the body from animal products.  To enable iron absorption in the body it is important to complement it with plant supplements. Vitamin C helps in iron absorption. If you have your iron supplement or tablet with vitamin C or a glass of orange juice, your body can absorb the iron faster. Strawberries and tomato juice are also equally effective. Calcium is another essential nutrient that is required during pregnancy. A decrease in calcium will lead to low iron absorption in the body.

How to treat iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy?

Most prenatal vitamins contain a good amount of iron prescribed by physicians all over the world during pregnancy. In some cases, you might have to consult a doctor or a hematologist, as people having a history in gastric diseases or those with bowel surgery might not be able to tolerate the oral iron dose. In such a situation they would need intravenous administration to replenish the lost iron in their body. 

Conclusion

Iron is an important component for both you and your baby. If you detect any of the symptoms mentioned above, then do not hesitate to consult a physician and get a thorough screening done. Remember your baby’s health depends upon you. If you stay healthy so does your baby.