The Iron Suites, Singapore’s first iron deficiency clinic launches

According to the European Journal of Heart Failure report 2014, at least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 adults over the age of 55 in Singapore suffer from iron
deficiency. Iron deficiency is the condition that develops when the body’s iron stores are depleted and cannot be replenished naturally.

The Iron Suites, a newly launched clinic to help manage patients with iron deficiency, shared that the condition is commonly under-diagnosed due to a misconception. This misconception stems from the idea that a healthy haemoglobin value (measured in Hb levels) or a report of not being anaemic means that there is no risk of iron deficiency in the patient. However, the condition is actually determined by checking a patient’s Ferritin levels and not the Hb levels.

Some women are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency due to heavy menstrual bleeding where the loss of blood also results in the loss of iron. If iron deficiency is left untreated when a woman is going through pregnancy, the condition can  pass on to their children, which could impact their cognitive development.

To manage the condition, the Iron Suites provides a range of services from consultation,  Iron & Fatigue lab tests and Intravenous iron infusion. The iron infusion – through a single injection – provides about one year’s supply of iron to the patient. It is also safe for pregnant women.

The Iron Suite accepts patients directly as well as through GP partner referrals. More information can be found at their website.

Iron deficiency symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Paleness
• Ulcers
• Hair loss
• Brittle nails
• Dizziness
• A lack of concentration
• Headaches
• Cold intolerance
• Susceptibility to infections
• Shortness of breath
• Restless leg syndrome
• Dry mouth

Picture credit: Lisa Suender under Creative Commons

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