Pregnancy: Iron

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Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia happens most frequently in pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and children.

Many people develop iron deficiency anemia because there is not enough iron in their diet.

There are 3 stages of iron deficiency.

Stage 1

Stage 1 happens when the body's storage of iron begins to decrease. This stage has no symptoms and tests appear normal.

Stage 2

Stage 2 happens when there is so little iron in the blood that the body does not produce as many red blood cells. Tests show little iron in the body.

Stage 3

Stage 3 happens when the body makes small red blood cells which have very little hemoglobin, the largest part of red blood cells. In stage 3 symptoms include weakness and fatigue as well as pale skin and infections.