Question

2. Heidi is a 21-year-old collegiate rower. She makes an appointment with you because she has been low in energy lately, and wants to know if her diet may be the reason she is so fatigued. Heidi mentions that she was not allowed to give blood at the cam- pus blood drive because the staff told her that her “iron was too low.” She wants to know what that means, and if she should start taking iron supplements.
As Heidi’s dietitian, what steps would you take to assess her iron status and subsequent nutritional needs?
Would you recommend that Heidi begin taking iron supplements?

Answer 1

A blood test must be ordered in order to know the haemoglobin level the normal level is 12 - 15.5 mg/dl. apart from the haemoglobin levels we must also check the conjunctiva and it should be red in colour also we must check the nails to see capillary refill and it should be 2 seconds.

If the iron levels can be corrected with diet there is no need for iron supplements but if the haemoglobin levels is less than 10 mg/dl iron supplements should be started.

As Heidi's dietitian I will recommend Heidi to consume more iron rich food such as green leafy vegetables, jaggery, legumes, nuts, and also vitamin C which will help to absorb the iron faster.