Radiation Therapy & Iron Levels: Understanding the Connection

Yes, radiation therapy can affect iron levels. Radiation therapy can damage the cells in the bone marrow that produce red blood cells, leading to a condition called anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Iron is an essential mineral for the production of red blood cells, so a deficiency in iron can worsen anemia. Radiation therapy can also damage the cells in the digestive tract that absorb iron from food, which can also lead to iron deficiency.