I'm having a blood test to see if I have an iron deficiency?

You will get Iron supplements. Whether it will be prescribed or over-the-counter will depend on how much iron your body is losing.

Yes you will get tired plenty without enough iron. Iron helps increase blood cell count. BTW: a side-effect of taking iron supplements is constipation, so you might be told to eat more fiber heavy foods, this of course varies from person to person.

Some symptoms of iron deficiency is:
Weakness
Fatigue
Hair loss
irritability
impaired immune system

Iron is really important, but too much of it can be just as dangerous as not enough.

Thalassemia minor may cause mild anemia.

Iron deficiency can also result in anemia.

Neither one will cause the other, but if you have both, the effect of both will be amplified.

Anemia is when you don't have sufficient or healthy red blood cells.

Inside a red blood cell are molecules of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule that carries oxygen from your lungs through your blood and to your body's organs and tissues.

In thalassemia, your body produces hemoglobin molecules that are abnormal, and are less able to carry oxygen.

Hemoglobin is in part of iron. If you don't have enough iron, you won't have enough hemoglobin, and your body won't be getting enough oxygen.

This will result in fatigue, weakness, a pale appearance, etc.

Iron deficiency can also cause changes in your hair and nails and you may get sick more easily.


If you have an iron deficiency, they can treat it with supplements, increased dietary intake, and even birth control pills if your period is thought to be the main cause.

If you do get supplements, you must remember that iron is poisonous when you take too much. Don't ever overdose on it.