You've been told you have anemia . . . now what?
First, let's define some terms. Iron deficiency anemia, or IDA, is a common type of anemia. In fact, about 20% of women have it. It's a condition in which blood lacks an adequate supply of healthy red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to tissues. It is oxygenated blood that gives your body energy and your skin a healthy color.
As the name suggests, IDA results from insufficient iron. Your body needs iron to make a substance called hemoglobin. It's the hemoglobin in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen.
Some of the more common reasons are fad diets that are low in iron, heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy (when the need for iron is especially high), and breastfeeding.
