Many people accept feeling exhausted as part of a busy life. You sleep a full night and still wake up drained. Climbing a flight of stairs leaves you out of breath. You feel cold when everyone else is comfortable. These can be signs of something more than a hectic schedule. One of the most common causes is iron deficiency anemia, and it is very treatable.
Dr. Irum A. Chaudhry is board-certified in hematology, oncology, internal medicine and geriatrics, with 28 years of experience. In this post she explains what iron deficiency anemia is, who is at risk, and when an iron infusion may be the right choice.
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. When iron runs low, your body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells. Less oxygen reaches your organs and muscles, and that is why the condition so often shows up as fatigue and weakness.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems in the world, and it often develops slowly. Many people don’t notice the symptoms until their iron stores are significantly depleted.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Iron deficiency anemia can look different from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Ongoing tiredness or lack of energy
- Shortness of breath during everyday activities
- Pale skin or pale inner eyelids
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Brittle nails or hair thinning
- A fast or irregular heartbeat
- Unusual cravings for ice, clay or starch (a condition called pica)
- Restless legs, especially at night
These symptoms overlap with many other conditions, so a simple blood test is the only reliable way to know what’s going on.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone can develop iron deficiency, but some groups are more likely to:
- Women with heavy menstrual periods, which are among the most common causes
- Pregnant women, whose iron needs rise sharply
- Older adults, who may absorb nutrients less efficiently or have hidden blood loss
- People with digestive conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or past weight-loss surgery, which can limit iron absorption
- People with slow internal bleeding, for example from ulcers, polyps or, in some cases, gastrointestinal cancers
- Patients with cancer or chronic kidney disease, where anemia is common
- People following restrictive diets that contain little iron
Iron deficiency in an adult, especially a man or a post-menopausal woman, should always be investigated. It can be the first sign of a condition that needs attention, so finding the cause matters just as much as replacing the iron.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually starts with blood work. Your doctor may order:
- A complete blood count (CBC) to check hemoglobin and red blood cell size
- Ferritin, which reflects your body’s stored iron
- Serum iron, transferrin saturation and TIBC, which show how much iron is available and how well it’s being carried
Depending on the results and your history, further testing may be recommended to look for the underlying cause. As a hematologist, Dr. Chaudhry evaluates the full picture rather than only treating the numbers.
Treatment Options: Pills vs. Infusions
Oral Iron Supplements
For many people, iron tablets are the first step. They are affordable and effective for mild deficiency. They do have drawbacks:
- They can cause stomach upset, constipation or nausea
- They work slowly and can take months to rebuild iron stores
- Some people simply cannot absorb enough iron through the gut
IV Iron Infusions
An iron infusion delivers iron directly into the bloodstream through an IV, bypassing the digestive system completely. It may be recommended if you:
- Couldn’t tolerate oral iron because of side effects
- Haven’t improved despite taking iron pills
- Have a condition that limits absorption
- Have significant anemia and need iron restored more quickly
- Are undergoing cancer treatment or have chronic kidney disease
- Are in later pregnancy, when time matters (as advised by your obstetrician)
What to Expect During an Iron Infusion
Many patients feel nervous before their first infusion, but the process is usually simple and comfortable:
- Before your visit, your doctor reviews your lab results and medical history and chooses the right iron product and dose.
- At the appointment, a small IV line is placed in your arm. You can relax, read or rest during the infusion.
- The infusion itself can take anywhere from about 15 minutes to a few hours, depending on the product and dose. Some patients need one session, others need a short series.
- Monitoring: our team watches you during and shortly after the infusion to make sure you’re comfortable.
- Afterward, most people return to normal activities the same day.
Side effects are usually mild and may include a temporary headache, mild body aches or a metallic taste. Serious reactions are uncommon, which is one reason infusions are given in a medically supervised setting.
Many patients start feeling more energetic within a couple of weeks, and follow-up blood work confirms that iron levels are recovering.
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
Fatigue is easy to dismiss, but your body may be telling you something important. Treating iron deficiency can bring back your energy and focus, and identifying its cause can protect your long-term health.
If you’ve been feeling persistently tired or weak, or you’ve been told your iron is low and pills haven’t helped, speak with a specialist.
Expert, Compassionate Care on Long Island
Dr. Irum A. Chaudhry provides personalized hematology care, including evaluation of anemia and iron infusions in a comfortable outpatient setting. Her practice also offers office consultations, telehealth visits, chemotherapy, pulmonary function testing and EKGs.
Ready to feel like yourself again?
📅 Book an appointment online
📞 East Meadow Office: 516-570-3043
📞 Baldwin Office: 516-223-3804
✉️ info@irumchaudhry.com
This article is for general educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor about your specific symptoms and treatment options.