What Causes Low Iron Levels In Adult Men?
Posted on: 25 November 2018
As an aging male, you have certain health concerns that will naturally come about. While iron anemia may not be one of the first things on your list of things to watch out for, low iron levels can definitely come with getting older, and it is not without reason. Unfortunately, low iron levels can cause major issues with how you feel, how much energy you have, and your overall health. It is also unfortunate that many men who find themselves with low iron have no idea where the problem started. Here is a look at some of the common causes of low iron levels as a man.
Your low iron levels could be due to a poor diet.
Perhaps the most common cause of low iron levels in adult men is a poor diet. For example, if you are a vegetarian and do not pay enough attention to how many iron-rich vegetables you include in your usual meal plans, iron levels can drop. Even though low iron tends to affect women more than men, as you get older, you can easily see low iron levels relative just to not eating the right kind of foods.
Your low iron levels could be a sign of internal bleeding.
Internal bleeding sounds like something you would catch right away, but that is not always the case. You could be bleeding internally due to something like an ulcer or intestinal issues and not even realize there is a big problem. Unfortunately, even if some men notice blood loss when they have a bowel movement, they may not tell their doctor about the problem right away. This prolonged loss of blood will lower your iron levels because your body will be using more iron to generate blood to replace what is lost.
Your low iron levels could be related to something simple.
If you frequently donate blood, you may have to stop when you get older. Some men will actually have problems with iron deficiency because they are donating blood too frequently. You are allowed to donate blood about seven times a year, or every 56 days, but just because you can do so, it does not always mean that you should. As an older male, donating blood this frequently could drastically affect your iron levels. You may notice that you feel more tired than usual for a longer period after you donate blood, and this is a sign of lowered iron levels.
For more information, contact a medical office like Burnsville Family Physicians today for an appointment.
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