Are you getting enough iron?

Iron-deficiency can leave you tired, pale-looking and irritable. An increasing number of Australians are finding they are iron deficient. Could this be you? This article fills you in about iron deficiency & what to do about it.

The figures for Iron Deficiency Anaemia may be as high as 1 in 4 Australian women & 1 in 6 Australian men. The condition is widespread and underdiagnosed. 

Some groups of Australians are more at risk of iron deficiency than others. These groups include young children, pregnant & premenopausal women, some athletes and vegetarians.

Why do we need iron?

Iron helps your body make red blood cells by binding to a protein called haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the pigment that makes blood red and carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. The oxygen is used to burn carbohydrates and fats to release energy. Adequate iron not only ensures good energy levels, but also optimal brain function and a strong immune system.

The first signs of anaemia are tiredness, lack of energy, poor concentration & frequent infections. Other symptoms may include brittle flat nails, smooth tongue & cracks at the corners of the mouth.

How to eat to get the extra iron you need:

Including iron containing foods can prevent the development of iron deficiency anaemia.

The two main forms of iron are haem (found in meats) and non-haem (found in plant foods). Our body is able to absorb haem iron more readily than non-haem iron – 20% absorption compared with 5%. Vitamin C and animal proteins help to release the non-haem iron bound in plant foods.

Iron food sources include beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, seafood, fish & offal meats. Dried peas & legumes, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals, wholegrain breads & cereals, eggs & green leafy vegetables are also good sources.

Some foods can interfere with iron absorption & should be eaten at different times to iron containing foods. These foods include large amounts of unprocessed bran & strongly brewed tea.

Supplements?

An iron supplement may be needed when levels in the blood go too low. Speak to your doctor if you think you may have iron deficiency.

If you think your diet may be low in iron, our lovely dietitian Cathy Purcell can provide you with individual advice for an adequate iron intake tailored to your circumstances.

The unprecedented COVID-19 public health crisis has fundamentally changed the way general practices provide primary health care overnight. With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rising daily, the Australian Government announced on 30^th March 2020 that it would extend telehealth services to all patients, while also advising doctors to restrict face-to-face consults to help slow the spread.

This immediate change has meant you’ve likely heard the term ‘telehealth’ mentioned a lot lately. But what is telehealth, and how does it affect you? We’re glad you asked!

We’ve put together a brief FAQ to help answer your questions. If you’d like any further information or clarification, please feel free to call your clinic.

What is telehealth?

A telehealth appointment is essentially the same as a regular face-to-face appointment with your GP but is over the telephone.

To arrange a telehealth appointment, simply book online or call the clinic as you would normally. At the time of your appointment, your GP will call you on the phone number you provided during the booking process – simple!

All you need is your telephone and a quiet place to talk.

On the phone call, your GP will first confirm your identity. They will then ask you questions about your symptoms (if you have any), and possibly some other questions so they can assess potential diagnoses as they won’t be able to see you.

Who can have a telehealth appointment?

Every Australian with a Medicare card can now access telehealth!

These temporarily expanded telehealth services were introduced by the Australian Government to provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How much does a telehealth consult cost?

Telehealth consults will be bulk billed for all current concession card holders, children under 16 years old, and patients who are vulnerable to COVID-19. In some situations, a consult fee may apply.

If needed, can I get a prescription via a telehealth appointment?

Yes, your GP can still issue a script if needed via a telehealth appointment. This will be sent to your pharmacy or can be collected from your clinic.

What if I need to see my doctor face-to-face?

If your GP has spoken with you and decides they need to see you, they’ll either arrange an appointment for you to come into the clinic or may recommend a video call.

What do I need for a video call?

There are times where your GP might need to see you (e.g. if you have a rash), but it’s not necessary for you to come to the clinic. In this case, your GP might arrange a video call, which is a good option, and enables your GP to provide a diagnosis or course of action (e.g., a prescription).

Our GPs use a secure online video calling platform that is simple to use and can operate on any smartphone.

We have developed a simple one-page instruction guide to help you to access the platform. Please click here.

Should my telehealth appointment be with my regular GP?

Yes. It is very important to have a regular GP who you can see over an extended period. There are many reasons for this, including:

• A GP who knows you and your local area – Having a regular GP allows for more open and comfortable communication as it builds trust and understanding. Where possible, your GP should also know what services are available in your local area (e.g. specialists, physiotherapists, dieticians, etc.) so that you can be well supported when needed.
• Management of chronic conditions – Your GP is the best person to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and asthma. To manage the ongoing care of these chronic diseases, a Care Plan may be advised, which is best completed by your GP.
• Advice on preventative health – preventative measures are important to a person’s overall health, such as immunisations, early detection of cancers, PAP smears and breast checks, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or osteoporosis, checking blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Continuity of care – Your GP is responsible for referring you to other healthcare professionals, including medical specialists or Allied Health professionals. They all work together to ensure you receive the best possible care.

If you don’t already have a regular GP at our clinic, we hope you’ll consider our practice as your new home for your healthcare.

Is it still safe to visit my GP at the clinic?

Yes – it is still safe to attend your GP clinic.

The health and safety of our patients, doctors, and staff are paramount. As such, we’ve taken extra precautions to ensure everyone attending our clinic is protected from potential exposure to COVID-19, including:

• Screening of all phone calls and online bookings to reduce the risk of a person who has COVID-19 attending the clinic;
• Separate waiting areas to isolate unwell patients;
• Social distancing measures such as spreading chairs apart and asking people to remain 1.5m from the reception desk;
• Removal of magazines and toys from the waiting room; and
• The regular cleaning and sanitisation of surfaces in between patients, including chairs and tables.

The introduction of telehealth is another measure aimed at reducing the number of people in our clinics. We’re also asking people to stay at home unless necessary, which is in line with current health advice.

Click here to book online or call us at (07) 3236 9599.

For the most up to date advice from QLD Health please see their website. The advice is changing daily, therefore it is important that you keep yourself aware of the current health alerts.

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/diseases/coronavirus/public-info-novel-coronavirus

Influenza or ‘the flu’ is a highly contagious disease that effects your upper airways and lungs. The flu is not the same as a common cold, it varies in severity and may be mild to moderate in some cases but severe in other cases. Influenza can cause serious complications which require hospitalisation or worse, be fatal.

“Immunisation is a simple and effective way to protect yourself, your loved ones and the people around you who can’t receive vaccinations because they are too young or have weak immune systems.”

Dr Carroll

Influenza virus are classified into different types and sub types but are constantly evolving and mutating. The importance is being vaccinated annually cannot be stressed enough, in order to be best protecting from the strains which circulate this year.

The flu is spread easily; sneezing and coughing being the worst culprits. It is often spread by droplets from coughs or sneezes containing the virus settling onto commonly touched surfaces such as phones, door knobs and light switches for example.

People who have the flu can be infectious to others from 24 hours before the onset of their own symptoms and up to a week after their symptoms begin. It is best to avoid others whilst you have the flu, to prevent spread of the infection.

Queensland Government – Vaccination Matters

Check if you are eligible for a government funded vaccine here. You can also organise an appointment for a private vaccine through Brisbane GP & Travel Doctor, this is recommended in order to assist in the protection of your local community, family and even in the workplace.

If the vaccines are not yet in stock, we will place you on our waiting list and call you when they arrive.