Question: I'm a 14-year-old female. I have anemia and a lack of iron. I'm NOT on a diet and I've never been on one. I try to eat more meat, but it's not always available at home.

What other problems, except fatigue, can anemia cause?

Answer: First you have to be sure that you are indeed anemic and if you are that it is from a lack of iron.

There are many causes of anemia. How did you find out that you were anemic? Was this diagnosed by a medical professional based on blood tests?

It is certainly possible for a teenaged female to have iron deficiency especially if she has heavy menstrual periods.

The best source of dietary iron is from animal sources — meats, poultry and fish but one may also get iron from other sources such as iron-fortified cereals and whole wheat bread and from green leafy vegetables and raisins. You can go online and pull up large list of iron-containing foods.

Also iron absorption is improved by vitamin C, another good reason for the vegetables and also fruit.

It is recommended that females of your age should have 15mgm of iron per day. If you are indeed anemic, the amount will be increased.

If you feel that you cannot get sufficient iron in your diet you can purchase iron tablets, ferrous sulfate, and take one or two pills a day.

Fatigue and lethargy are probably the most common problem with anemia and lack of iron but they may be late manifestations.

There are other less apparent consequences of iron deficiency such as decreased absorption of other nutrients and minor decreases in mental function but these can all be corrected.

Finally as we said at beginning, be sure you are not self diagnosing and that you get proper follow up.

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