COVID-19 and Iron Deficiency
As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath. This article explains the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency in long COVID.
COVID-19 consumes iron in your body during the acute (contagious) phase of the disease. This may be a contributing factor in fatigue and weakness. Some people, especially those hospitalized for COVID, may be treated with oral supplements or IV iron infusions. This condition needs to be monitored with bloodwork because too much iron can damage the body and, in some people with Long COVID, the regulatory system stops working properly and body starts to store too much iron in the form if ferritin.
Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to make some hormones. Iron metabolism and anemia play an important role in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in COVID-19. The body stored extra reserves of iron in the form of Ferritin.
Symptoms
Early on, iron deficiency anemia may be unnoticeable, but as it worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify.
Common iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms:
Heaviness in the legs or arms
Extreme fatigue
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Pale or pasty skin
Chest pain or a fast heartbeat
Headache, dizziness or light headedness
Cold hands and feet
Inflammation or soreness of your tongue
Brittle nails
Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch (called Pica)
Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you experience any of the signs and symptoms listed above. Don’t try to treat this without guidance. Iron, ferritin hemoglobin levels can easily be monitored with blood work. If you are concerned about any of the symptoms listed here, ask your MD to check a full iron panel, ferritin levels, hemoglobin, hematocrit and others.
Iron deficiency anemia isn't something to self-diagnose or treat. Be careful not to overload the body with iron because it can be dangerous if the excess iron accumulates. It can damage the liver, heart, thyroid and eyes, and cause other complications. And sometimes additional tests or treatments for iron deficiency anemia are necessary, especially if your doctor suspects that you're bleeding internally.
Most of the time you can usually correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplements and vitamin C.
Vitamin C increases iron absorption
Drinking citrus juice or eating foods rich in vitamin C when you take iron supplements or eat high-iron foods helps your body to absorb iron more efficiently. Vitamin C can be found in:
Vitamin C supplements
Multiple vitamins
Broccoli
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Leafy greens
Melons
Oranges
Peppers
Strawberries
Tangerines
Tomatoes
If you are following the low histamine or low sugar diet in an effort to manage inflammation, you should keep track of how you are feeling after eating any of the foods listed in this article. Remember that what works for one person may not work for you. Listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel a few hours after you eat.
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Resources from covidCAREgroup
Recovery Tools — covidCAREgroup
Education Blog Table of Contents — covidCAREgroup
Long COVID Recovery Information and Resources — covidCAREgroup
Long COVID FAQ — covidCAREgroup
COVID-19 Long Haulers Support Group (Facebook)
Article Resources
Iron: Innocent bystander or vicious culprit in COVID-19 pathogenesis from Science Direct.
Anemia and iron metabolism in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed (nih.gov)
Anemia and iron metabolism in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis | SpringerLink
Iron deficiency anemia - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
The Importance of Iron in Your Body | American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)