Anemia is a condition where a person lacks an appropriate amount of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when a person lacks enough iron in their body to produce hemoglobin, which is a key component of red blood cell development.
Iron deficiency is treatable once it is diagnosed. However, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms to look out for — along with risk factors that can lead to this condition. Learn more about iron deficiency anemia and what it entails.
Common causes of iron deficiency in older adults
There are two high-level causes of anemia: the body is losing red blood cells or the body isn’t producing red blood cells. This creates a deficiency that produces a variety of unwanted side effects. It is up to doctors to identify the source of the anemia causing the deficit.
In older adults, iron deficiency anemia could be caused by problems with a patient’s diet, malabsorption (where the body has trouble absorbing nutrients), chronic bleeding, issues with medication or an injury that is causing blood loss. It is common for there to be several coexisting causes of anemia. For example, a patient might already have a low iron intake in their diet, but malabsorption caused by medication can worsen the effects of low iron.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
Before a patient receives a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, they might experience a series of symptoms that lets them know something is wrong. One of the challenges of identifying signs of anemia is sorting out which symptoms are a direct result of iron deficiency and which ones are caused by other medical conditions (or side effects of medication). Here are a few signs to look out for.
Fatigue and weakness
Oxygen-packed red blood cells spread energy through the body. When your red blood cell count is low, it’s not uncommon to feel fatigued or weak during the day. At the start of your anemia, you might feel more tired after completing simple activities. As the condition progresses, you might feel too tired to do them at all.
Shortness of breath
Along with fatigue or weakness, someone with anemia might experience shortness of breath while they are completing basic activities. This is because the body is using as much oxygen as it can to move blood through the body — but it isn’t enough.
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Shortness of breath, along with a lack of oxygen to your brain and body, can lead to dizziness. You might experience dizziness when you stand up or get lightheaded while completing basic chores around the house.
This is a particularly serious symptom because it increases the potential for older Americans to fall. Not only does falling have the potential to cause serious injuries, but the loss of blood could worsen the anemia.
Pale or yellowish skin
You might notice pale or “sallow” skin in someone who has anemia. This highlights how there isn’t a strong presence of red blood cells. Think about how someone looks after going for a jog or completing a workout. Their blood is pumping and their oxygen levels are high — creating a natural flush on the face. Someone without a high red blood cell count won’t easily look flushed.
Tooth decay
While there is a known correlation between iron deficiency and tooth decay, researchers aren’t sure why these two conditions occur together. However, one can be a warning sign for the other. If you know you have iron deficiency anemia, make sure you keep up with your regular dental appointments to keep your teeth healthy. Conversely, if you notice problems with your teeth and aren’t sure why, consider asking your doctor about anemia.
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Anemia forces your heart to work harder to pump the existing red blood cells throughout the body. Patients often report rapid or irregular heartbeats as a result of their anemia. This could potentially lead to significant heart problems if the irregularities persist.
Cognitive decline
Iron deficiency anemia and dementia are common comorbidities, which means the two conditions are commonly found together in patients. Part of this is because both conditions naturally occur with age. However, some researchers are working to see if there is a correlation between the two.
Patients with iron deficiency anemia might benefit from visiting a psychologist who can evaluate their mental health. These professionals will check for issues with memory loss and concentration — along with emotional conditions like anxiety that develop with cognitive decline. Eventually, you might benefit from working with a psychiatrist to treat these emotional conditions.
Brittle nails and hair loss
Finally, look for changes in the skin, nails and hair to identify potential signs of anemia. If a patient’s hair becomes thin or starts falling out, there could be a nutritional deficit at play. The same goes for nails that are brittle and break easily. The body isn’t getting something that it needs.
Diagnosing iron deficiency anemia
While doctors might not fully understand the correlation between certain side effects and iron deficiency anemia, there are multiple ways to test for this condition and receive a clear diagnosis. First, your doctor will start with a complete blood count (CBC) test. As the name sounds, this test will determine the number of cells (red and white) in your body.
Normal levels of red blood cells in your blood fall between 35.5 to 44.9% for adult women and 38.3 to 48.6% for adult men. These levels might change depending on a variety of conditions but the CBC test can give your doctor an idea of your cell count.
Additionally, your doctor might run other tests that help create an iron deficiency anemia diagnosis. They might look at your hemoglobin levels or check for ferritin, which stores iron in your body. They might also look at the shape and size of the cells to see if they are normal. After conducting these tests, your doctor should feel confident in their diagnosis.
Treatment options for iron deficiency anemia
There are two steps to treat iron deficiency anemia to better help patients: increase the iron levels in the blood while getting to the root cause of the issue. The first step is fairly easy. You might start taking iron supplements each day to boost the iron levels in your bloodstream. Your doctor will give you the correct dosage and instructions on how to take the supplements effectively.
Next, the doctor will try to figure out why the iron levels dropped in the first place. They might recommend dietary changes or switch up your medication. If you are currently treating other conditions and the anemia is new, your doctor might have to work with other health professionals to coordinate your care. Your body clearly responded to some form of treatment by developing anemia. Now it is up to each medical professional you work with to take a whole-body approach to your care.
Your doctor will likely follow up with both your treatment and adjustments to relieve your anemia symptoms. If the supplements and other changes don’t work, they will continue trying new approaches to keeping you healthy.
Preventing iron deficiency anemia in older adults
As you age, your risk factors for various illnesses and conditions increase. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent iron deficiency anemia and catch it early on if it develops. First, maintain a balanced diet and ask your doctor if they recommend any dietary supplements for your age.
Next, keep up with your annual check-ups and health screenings. Most doctors request routine blood tests from patients to check their blood cell levels and other health indicators. Keeping up with these tests can alert your doctor to any changes in your body that could be warning signs to look out for.
For the most part, iron deficiency anemia isn’t something you need to be overly concerned about as you age. It is diagnosable and treatable. However, it is important to catch the source of this condition early on to make sure your body is healthy and functions as it should.