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Iron deficiency anaemia causes exhaustion and confusion – and one in six nurses may be affected
Screening should be in place for the condition, which can cause a range of physical and mental health problems
Screening should be in place for the condition, which can cause a range of physical and mental health problems
Are you a woman? Do you feel tired and exhausted? Have you been experiencing heart palpitations or finding it a struggle sometimes to think clearly? This could be iron deficiency.
Data from this year’s RCN congress in Liverpool suggest that up to one in six nurses may have iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).
About 300 nurses at congress underwent a simple finger prick test to assess blood haemoglobin levels. One third of female nurses had a haemoglobin level less than 130g/L. We followed this up with a blood test looking at blood count and serum ferritin to determine iron
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