Twenty five year old well built gentleman appearing healthy was
visiting me for more than a month for his repeated attacks of throat pain and
cold symptoms. Each time he was treated with adequate antibiotics for his
infections. Since he was suffering repeatedly with the same problems, I subjected
him for basic routine blood tests. All the findings in the report were within
normal limits except for his hemoglobin level which was little less than the
normal limit. I suspected as Iron deficiency condition and iron preparation was
prescribed for short duration and motivated him to eat iron rich food items.
Many people think
that iron deficiency and anemia happens among adults who are thin built,
malnourished or suffering from other diseases etc. Otherwise iron deficiency conditions are quite
common among females in the age group of 15 to 50 years and major problem while
they are pregnant. Nowadays iron deficiency
is also common in young adult men because of irregular food intake and habits
as well as their work related pressures.
Anemia (when hemoglobin in blood is less than 11grams per deciliter)
is the last stage in the iron deficiency conditions. Iron plays important role
in immune response and effective functions of muscles.
Young adults whose food habits are irregular and suffering
from repeated attacks of infections to think the possibility of iron deficiency and motivated t to eat iron rich foods in
addition to take iron preparation as treatment or prevention for short duration if there is no
other disease. Never think well built
or overweight young men will not develop iron deficiency conditions.
