by Kyriakos Yiannoukas* Fatigue, weakness, and tiredness even after a good night’s sleep. Is it the heat, or could the symptoms be related to an underlying medical condition? Lately, many people feel a constant exhaustion, which they attribute to the heat. Indeed, the exhaustion may be due to high temperatures, especially if certain measures are not followed (staying in shaded, air-conditioned areas, proper hydration, light meals, etc.). However, if the symptoms persist, they may be due to an underlying medical cause, such as iron deficiency. It is well known that iron plays a crucial role in the production of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. When iron levels are low, the amount of hemoglobin decreases, leading to various symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, concentration and memory problems, pallor, weakened immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, etc. These symptoms may become more pronounced during the summer, as the body is further stressed by the heat. As a result, individuals with low iron levels in their body often feel exhaustion and fatigue.
Medical laboratories can detect iron deficiency with a simple blood test. Basic indicators are hemoglobin and haematocrit which are included in complete blood count (CBC) test. Ferritin test is another way for diagnosing iron-deficiency, as it is the "storage" form of iron in our body. In some cases, the doctor may request more specialized tests, such as measuring Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) and transferrin levels, which are elevated in individuals with iron deficiency anemia. In case that blood tests indicate iron deficiency anemia, your doctor may request additional tests to identify its causes. These may include endoscopy to check for stomach bleeding, colonoscopy, or CT scan to check for bowel haemorrhage and ultrasound to check for uterine fibroids (leiomyomas or myomas) in women. Nutrition in addressing iron deficiency anemia is of exceptional importance. Iron-rich foods include liver, red meat, fish, lentils, spinach, beans, and more. These foods should be combined with others rich in vitamin C to maximize iron absorption by the body. In cases where tests reveal very low iron levels, the doctor may recommend taking supplements. If iron deficiency is due to an underlying condition, treating that condition is key to restoring iron levels to normal.
In conclusion, only a doctor, based on clinical and laboratory tests, can determine whether symptoms of fatigue and weakness are due to high temperatures or another cause. It is important, especially if the symptoms persist, to seek medical advice. It is also of utmost importance to understand the value of an annual general check-up, which can identify various health issues—both serious and minor—that may be causing problems we often attribute to other causes.
*Biochemist, President of Yiannoukas Medical Laboratories, BIOIATRIKI Healthcare Group in Cyprus
