Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are one of the most important global health problems, affecting more than 2 billion people in the world. While it is less than 1% in men under the age of 50, it is seen at a rate of 2-4% after the age of 50, 9-11% in menstruating girls and women between the ages of 9-13, and 5-7% in women who have entered menopause. Iron deficiency increases the cost of national healthcare systems, along with low quality of life and increased risk of serious organ complications.
Iron is a vital nutrient element for the adequate production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all body tissues. 20-25 mg of iron is required daily for the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Iron is an important basic element required not only for red blood cell production, but also for oxygen transport, energy production, DNA repair and cell proliferation for all tissues and organs.
Timely diagnosis and effective treatment of iron deficiency anemia. It is important to do so. There are two important points in treatment management. The underlying cause must be well identified and treatment must be administered as soon as possible.
In case of iron deficiency, complaints and symptoms such as weakness of the muscles or nervous system, difficulty in concentration, lack of attention may occur before anemia occurs. In addition, there may be burning in the tongue, difficulty in swallowing, restless legs, hair loss, broken nails, PICA (the desire to eat non-nutritional foods (ice, soil, etc.) for at least 1 month).
Vitamin B12 and folate. They are vitamins necessary for the production of blood cells in the bone marrow. In addition to anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency may cause neurological disorders called neuropathy. Folate is found in leafy vegetables and animal foods. It is estimated that the daily requirement for infants and children is 5-50 micrograms/day, and for adults it is 50 micrograms/day. The need for folic acid increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers. Animal products constitute the only dietary source of vitamin B12 for humans. Strict vegetarians are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. The amount of vitamin B12 stored in the body is 2-5 mg.
Blood cells of unknown cause Low levels of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelets), unexplained neurological findings, numbness, burning, tingling in the hands and feet, dementia, balance disorders, personality disorders, the elderly, alcoholics, patients with malnutrition, those who have undergone bariatric surgery (stomach reduction surgery). Patients are at risk of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Low vitamin B12 levels have been detected at a rate of 10-20% in patients with long-term dementia. Rarely, it has been shown that there is an improvement in the complaints of those who are given vitamin B12 treatment. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause developmental delay, brain shrinkage, epileptic seizures and drowsiness in children of growth and development age.
Due to the risk of neurol tube defects in babies due to folic acid deficiency in pregnant women, folic acid supplementation is recommended from the beginning of pregnancy until the 3rd month. Again, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency increases the risk of heart diseases due to high homocysteine levels.
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