15 Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Iron is necessary for the production of haemoglobin in our body, which is the red pigment that allows our red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body from our lungs. In fact, 70% of the iron consumed by us is utilized for this very purpose. That’s why it’s a big problem when your body lacks sufficient iron; a condition also known as iron-deficiency anemia.

Women suffer from iron deficiency a lot more than men because of their monthly blood loss through menstruation.

Extreme Fatigue : Fatigue is one of the most common signs of iron deficiency. This is due to less oxygen reaching body tissues, depriving them of energy.

Heavy menstrual flow : Women who have a heavy menstrual flow are at the highest risk of an iron deficiency, since they lose a lot of blood every month and their body only manages to replace some of it before they lose blood all over again.

Paleness : Paleness in general or in specific areas such as the face, lower inner eyelid or nails may be a sign of moderate or severe iron deficiency. This is caused by lower levels of hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color.

Shortness of breath : If you find yourself short of breath while doing things that you would normally be able to do easily, like climbing the stairs or doing your usual workout, then it could be due to low iron levels. No matter how deeply you breathe, if your haemoglobin levels are low, you will feel out of breath.

Rapid heartbeat : The lack of haemoglobin can strain your heart, resulting in irregular heartbeats, heart murmurs, enlargement, and even heart failure. Don’t worry, you usually have to have an iron deficiency for a long time before it affects your heart, but you should get it checked nonetheless. If you know you have a heart condition you should definitely get your iron levels checked, because an iron deficiency can worsen it.

Restless legs : Fidgeting may be a sign of iron deficiency, since studies have shown that around 15 percent of people who suffer from restless leg syndrome have an iron deficiency as well. The lower your iron levels, the more you tend to fidget.

Headaches : Headaches and dizziness could be a sign of iron deficiency. The lack of hemoglobin means not enough oxygen reaches the brain, causing its blood vessels to swell and create pressure.

Unusual cravings : People who are deficient in iron tend to crave unusual things like ice, chalk, paper, starch and clay. This is a phenomenon known as pica, and it is the urge to eat foods that have no nutritional value.

Difficulty concentrating : The synthesising process of neurotransmitters in your brain can get altered by the lack of oxygen, making it hard for you to concentrate properly. Altered neurotransmitter synthesis can also lead to apathy, where you find it hard to care about things that are important to you.

Sore muscles : If you have an iron deficiency, exercising will not only make you feel more tired than usual, it will also make you feel sore for much longer afterward. Your muscles need iron to recover, and the lack of it causes the recovery process to take longer than usual.

Anxiety : An iron deficiency can cause you to feel more anxious than usual, since the lack of oxygen kicks your body’s sympathetic nervous system into overdrive. The rapid heartbeat doesn’t help, causing you to feel stressed and anxious for no reason

Hair fall : An iron deficiency can cause your hair to fall, especially when it progresses into anaemia. This happens because your body goes into survival mode, directing the flow of blood to the tissues and organs that are necessary for survival.

Brittle nails : Iron deficiencies lead to thin, brittle fingernails and toenails that break very easily. Another sure sign of an iron deficiency is concave depressions in the nails.

Thyroid problems : If you have an underactive thyroid, it could be due to an iron deficiency. The lack of iron slows down your thyroid and hampers its ability to boost metabolism. Unfortunately, hypothyroidism is a condition that is hard to detect, since most people who have thyroid problems have no idea that they have them.

Sore tongue : An iron deficiency will not only cause your tongue to look less pink than usual, it can also cause it to feel sore, inflamed and unusually smooth. This happens because low iron levels affect not only your haemoglobin count but your myoglobin count as well. Myoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that supports musclehealth, and since your tongue is made up of muscles, it will start to feel different.