Iron Deficiency Anemia in Teens: Explore the Causes, Symptoms and Iron Sources

Are you worried about your teen developing anemia? Anemia can be a serious health issue and one that is often neglected in teens. It's important to know what kind of iron requirements teen boys and girls have so they can stay healthy. In this article, we'll look at the facts about anemia in teenagers and how you can ensure they are getting enough dietary iron every day.

The teenage years can be an especially turbulent stage of life, filled with physical, mental, social, and emotional changes. Alongside these worries come dietary needs that are important for growth and development. One of the most important nutrients for teens is iron, that’s not only necessary for energy balance but also a key component in red blood cell production, which is essential for proper oxygen delivery throughout the body. In this article, we will discover the low iron symptoms in female and male teens, their daily iron requirements and foods rich in dietary iron that might help prevent or decrease symptoms associated with low iron in teenage males and females.

Causes of Iron Deficiency in Teenagers

The causes of iron deficiency in teenage males are slightly different from those in teen girls.

Iron Deficiency in Teen Females

The most common causes of iron deficiency in teenage females may be due to the following:

• Insufficient intake of iron
• Insufficient absorption of iron by the body due to disorders like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
• Blood loss during menstruation
• Rapid growth spurts
• Bleeding in the GI tract

Iron Deficiency in Teen Males

Iron deficiency in teenage males can be due to:

• Poor nutrition
• Insufficient absorption of iron by the body due to disorders like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
• Rapid growth spurts
• Deficiency in the absorption of iron
• Bleeding in the GI tract

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency symptoms in males and females can present themselves in many forms. Low iron symptoms in males and females are listed below:

• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Cold hands and feet
• Paleness

For a more detailed take on the symptoms of iron deficiency, you may contact a healthcare professional.

Iron Requirements in Teens

Dietary iron requirements vary among individuals due to factors like age and sex. Particularly, teenage girls aged 16-18 years have the greatest need for iron. The following provides the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) per day for iron:

Sources Of Iron

There are plenty of iron-rich foods you can add to your meals to make sure you're getting the right amount and stopping iron deficiency in its tracks.

You can consume these ingredients with vitamin-C packed foods that help the body absorb iron, which can help in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in teenage males and females.  These foods include:

Ensure proper intake of iron-rich foods in appropriate quantities, following individual requirements and under the guidance of a healthcare professional for optimal health and safety.  

Conclusion

Iron deficiency anemia in teenage males and females is a very serious health issue that can prevent them from growing and developing to their full potential. Knowing what causes teen iron deficiency, the low iron symptoms in female and male teens and where the best sources for iron-rich foods come from are all key pieces of knowledge everyone should have before tackling this issue. With the information provided in this article, as well as the support of a healthcare professional if needed, any teenager can ensure that they’re set up for a lifetime of healthy living!