Anyone still tired after sleeping urged to get test done by NHS gp
The warning signs can easily be dismissed as coming from a busy lifestyle (Image: YouTube (No Appointment Necessary))
People who feel tired, even after a full night of sleep, should ask their doctor to test them for a common problem that millions put down to a busy lifestyle. In reality, ignoring the red flags could leave people at serious risk of harm.
Speaking on his No Appointment Necessary podcast, ITV regular and NHS GP Dr Amir Khan claimed that it is “so common” for women who are at or under the perimenopausal age to experience anaemia due to blood loss from their period.
He said: “The kind of symptoms we look out for are tiredness. Tiredness is the most common symptom. Women often put their tiredness down to being busy because they are busy people, managing a lot. If you are so tired that, even after sleep, you don’t feel refreshed, you could well be anaemic.”
Things like frequent infections can also be a warning sign, according to Dr Khan. He said that because the body needs iron and red blood cells to support the immune system, people who aren’t producing enough naturally tend to suffer from these issues more.
It is important to get help if you think you have iron deficiency anaemia. If left untreated, it can make you more at risk of illness and infection and may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs. It can also cause a greater risk of complications before and after birth if you’re pregnant.
What does the NHS say?
The NHS website claims that iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. Worldwide, it affects billions of people to varying degrees. Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia.
Aside from what Dr Khan mentioned in his Instagram video, other commonly reported warning signs may include headaches, skin looking paler than usual, shortness of breath and noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations). In order to confirm a diagnosis, a GP will carry out a blood test and may also ask questions about your lifestyle and medical history.
Is iron deficiency anaemia treatable?
Once the reason for your iron deficiency anaemia has been found, the GP will recommend treatment. If the test comes back showing a low red blood cell count, doctors will often prescribe iron tablets that will need to be taken for about six months.
As treatment goes on, your doctor may carry out repeat blood tests every few months to check that your iron level is getting back to normal. Aside from medication, diet plays a major role in maintaining a healthy iron level to prevent anaemia.
What food should I be having more of?
Iron is an important mineral that our bodies need to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Despite needing it, the human body does not naturally produce any iron, so diet is the best way to obtain enough iron daily.
According to the NHS, the amount of iron people need depends on their age and gender assigned at birth. Men over 19 and women over 50 need 8.7mg per day, while women between 19 and 49 are recommended to double that dose to 14.8mg per day (accounting for blood loss during periods).
There are several foods that are rich in iron and can help the body stay on top of this daily demand. The NHS suggests that people try to eat more:
- dark-green leafy vegetables (like watercress and curly kale)
- cereals and bread with extra iron in them (fortified)
- red meats (beef, lamb, pork, veal, mutton, venison, and goat)
- beans, such as red kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas
- dried fruit (like apricots, prunes and raisins)
- pulses (beans, peas and lentils)
People should also try to drink less tea, coffee, milk and dairy. Foods with high levels of phytic acid, such as wholegrain cereals, can also stop your body absorbing iron from other foods and tablets.
