Iron deficiency and anaemia..

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia in the world affecting 12-15% of women between 15 and 50 years old. Unfortunately many suffer in silence not knowing that effective treatment can help.

Iron deficiency can also frequently occur in patients with cancer or chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Left unchecked, iron deficiency can severely effect patients with these diseases, including increased hospitalisation, reduced quality of life and even higher death rates.

What is iron deficiency?..

Why iron is important to your health:

Iron is essential for your body. It is needed for your mental and physical health and to maintain your energy levels. Iron is present in a substance called haemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells.

Haemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. Oxygen is required in your brain for concentration and in your muscles for physical energy. Iron is also needed to maintain a healthy immune system, helping you to fight off infections.

Are you getting enough iron?

Balancing the supply and demand for iron in your body is important to maintain good health. Normally your body keeps your iron levels balanced, and the iron that is used every day to make new red blood cells is replaced by the iron that is present in your food. The iron in your food is absorbed into the bloodstream in your small intestine.

The supply and demand for iron in your body can become unbalanced for a number of reasons and this can lead to iron deficiency.

Do you feel more than just tired?

Everyone gets tired from time to time, but if you feel exhausted every day, you may be suffering from fatigue.

If you are experiencing fatigue, you may feel physically and mentally exhausted, even if you have not been doing any physical activities that are particularly tiring.

The science of iron and anaemia..

Iron metabolism:

Iron is used in the body as the key component of haemoglobin, a substance found in red blood cells that allows them to transport oxygen.

Normally, iron is recycled by the body through cells called macrophages which recycle iron from old red blood cells in the spleen and transport iron for storage, in the liver. When required
iron from these ferritin stores is transported by transferrin to the bone marrow where new haemoglobin and red blood cells are produced. Natural losses are replenished by absorption of iron from the gut.

Issues such as blood loss, digestive problems, illness or inflammation can disrupt these vital functions of recycling and storing iron, and can lead to iron deficiency and anaemia. In conditions where the gut’s ability to absorb iron is affected, intravenous iron is most effective.

Signs of iron deficiency..

There are many common symptoms of iron deficiency and anaemia. these include fatigue, headache and paleness.

Book an appointment..

Our staff are available and happy to answer your every question.

To book an appointment or an assessment:

020 3875 8171
info@theironclinic.co.uk

Angela Zendel

Will be booking in another transfusion as soon as it's needed. Thank you to Caitlin, I couldn't have had better care leading up to as well as after my appointment. Absolutely brilliant!

Nicola Wilson

I was warmly welcomed and seen very promptly despite arriving about 45mins early. It was quickly decided that an infusion would be beneficial and I was soon hooked up to the IV and receiving treatment treatment which was great. The facilities were clean, spacious and very pleasant.

Upneet Ashish

The Iron Clinic is advancing and supporting this particular issue, which is a very important pillar of our health.

Rebecca Turner

Very helpful and reassuring when I got anxious.

Caroline Parkin

The team were extremely helpful with fitting me in last minute. I felt very comfortable and happy with the experience, and I’m looking forward to reaping the benefits!

Amy Farrell

Thank you very much. Professional, informative and friendly staff really put my daughter at ease.

Ana Moreno Gascon

It has been really easy dealing with the Iron Clinic in every step of the process. I feel that the iron infusion has already made a difference, which is very promising.

Alexandra Hale

Excellent service. Fast and detailed to response to all my questions. Appointment and treatment arranged quickly. Most importantly the iron IV was simple, painfree and so far very effective.

Bridget Fenn

Everyone was very attentive and reassuring. The consultation was good and very informative about iron deficiency. It was great to have acknowledgement that my symptoms were (likely) iron deficiency related. I could have talked through more about them. The end result so far though has been amazing - I feel like someone cleaned my glasses!

Scott Knight

The overall ambience was a mesh of professional, light hearted, knowledgeable and convivial.

Sally Darwin

So happy with my appointment at the Iron Clinic. Friendly and relaxed environment helped me feel at ease. The team are clearly passionate about the treatment and where happy to answer allof my questions. Excellent. Highly recommend.

Elizabeth Gorringe

Amazing treatment and service.

J.Y

I did the 5km park run in 24:42 minutes this morning – before the iron I did it in 27:09. That's a huge improvement, I’m really delighted and I felt much better doing it too.

S.A

I felt tired, faint and had suffered hair loss. Prof. Richards recommended an intravenous iron infusion which resulted in an improvement in both my energy levels and symptoms within the same week.