11 Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency You Must Not Ignore.
Iron is a crucial mineral that plays an active role in many body functions.
And while your body just can’t do without this nutrient, its deficiency is also one
of the most common nutritional problems in the world.
Women especially need to be wary.
Low levels of iron can throw your body out of whack and hamper its proper functioning.
What starts as iron depletion could progress to latent iron deficiency (also called iron-deficient
erythropoiesis or iron deficiency without anemia) and then to iron deficiency anemia
where your hemoglobin levels are affected.
If you have iron deficiency anemia, your body makes fewer red blood cells and the red blood
cells that are made contain less hemoglobin.
This has a cascade effect on many vital functions in your body.
Iron deficiency can occur without anemia, too.
Low levels of iron may not cause any symptoms initially.
However, as the deficiency worsens, you may notice many of the following signs.
1.
Fatigue.
It’s normal to feel tired if you’ve been exerting yourself physically, or are experiencing
sleep deprivation, or prolonged stress.
But what if fatigue and tiredness are a constant reality?
When your iron levels drop, you’ll find that you’re really low on energy and that
activities that did not cause you to feel tired earlier – be it climbing stairs or
light housework – do so now.
Constant fatigue is the most common sign that you’re low in iron or suffering from iron
deficiency anemia.
This happens because you don’t have enough healthy hemoglobin to carry sufficient oxygen
throughout your body – what’s often called “tired blood.”
2.
Shortness Of Breath.
An iron deficiency can also cause you to feel that you are constantly short of breath – like
you are running out of air and cannot breathe deeply or fast enough.
You may also feel that you urgently need to inhale before you finish exhaling.
Most people with this condition may not feel breathless while in a relaxed state or while
sitting down.
When you engage in physical activity or exert yourself, however, the increased amount of
oxygen required by the body cannot be delivered by the blood.
As a result, you may start to breathe deeply and rapidly in the attempt to increase oxygen
supply.In severe cases, you may even feel short of breath while sitting down.
3.
Heart Palpitations.
People with iron deficiency anemia may also experience heart palpitations.
In people with iron deficiency anemia, the heart is forced to work harder to supply oxygen
to the body.
This leads to it beating more rapidly or forcefully than is normal, causing you to actually sense
heartbeats.
Severe cases of iron deficiency anemia may also lead to an enlarged heart, a heart murmur,
and even heart failure.
4.
Pale Skin.
Being pale or having a sallow or yellowish pallor is another sign of iron deficiency.
This is not caused by a change in skin tone or pigmentation but rather due to a reduction
in the number of red blood cells.
If you have a dark complexion, the paleness may be more easily detectable in the inner
mouth, nails, and lining of the eye.
5.
Headaches And Dizziness.
Though not very common, headaches and dizziness can also point to an iron deficiency.
The headaches can be mild, moderate, or severe and may be a result of compromised oxygen
delivery to your organs, including the brain.
6.
Auditory Problems.
Some people with iron deficiency anemia hear a buzzing, ringing, or hissing sound inside
their head.
This is a condition known as tinnitus.
Experts suggest that a decrease in the number of red blood cells can, in some cases, lead
to a thinning of blood and cause it to circulate so quickly that it makes a sound.
7.
Strange Non-Food Cravings.
While the connection is not exactly clear, people with iron deficiency anemia may experience
a craving for non-food substances such as dirt, ice, paint, or paper, a condition that’s
known as pica.You may also feel that your food tastes strange.
8.
Skin Problems, Hair Loss, And Nail Abnormalities.
Your skin, hair, and nails also take a beating when you have iron deficiency anemia.
You may feel itchy and have brittle nails.
Some people find that their nails curve inward like a spoon.
You could also experience hair loss.
So if you find more strands of hair falling than is than usual when you wash or brush
your hair, you might be low on iron.
9.
Sore Tongue And Cracks In The Corners Of The Mouth.
Is your tongue swollen or sore for no obvious reasons?
It could point to an iron deficiency.
Open sores or cracks in the corners of your mouth could also mean that you’re low on
iron.
10.
Restless Legs Syndrome.
Iron deficiency anemia may also be linked to an irresistible or overwhelming urge to
move your legs, which is known as restless legs syndrome.
You may also experience a creeping or crawling sensation in your thighs, calves, and feet.
Experts suggest that this is caused by a problem in the nervous system.
In fact, 15% of people with restless legs syndrome were found to have an iron deficiency
in one clinical survey.
11.
Frequent Infections.
Your immune system needs iron to function properly.
So if you’re falling ill quite frequently, it might be time to check up on your iron
levels.
12.
Cold Hands And Feet.
Iron deficiency anemia can also cause you to be more sensitive to cold.
Your extremities (hands and feet) especially bear the brunt.
When your body is anemic, it won’t have sufficient healthy red blood cells needed
to supply oxygen to your body tissues.
Your body uses the existing red blood cells to supply oxygen to vital organs and, consequently,
circulation to your extremities takes a hit.
Some People Are At A Higher Risk Of Iron Deficiency.
-Women of childbearing age are more susceptible to iron deficiency since they experience blood
loss during their monthly periods.
1 out of 5 women in this age group suffers from iron deficiency anemia.
-Pregnant women can become deficient in iron since they need much more iron than usual
to meet the baby’s needs.
Around 50% of women who are pregnant develop iron deficiency anemia.
-People who suffer from a medical condition that causes blood loss or interferes with
iron absorption may not have enough iron despite a good diet.
Infants or small children are also prone to iron deficiency.
This is because milk, their main food, is low in iron and too much milk can even block
the absorption of iron from other foods.
You Need 8–18 mg Of Iron Per Day Depending On Age And Gender.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron is:
-8 mg for men between 19 and 50 years of age and 18 mg for women the same age group
-8 mg for both men and women from the age of 51
-27 mg during pregnancy -7 to 15 mg for children between the ages
of 6 months and 18 years, depending on age and gender
However, if you are a vegetarian, you need 1.8 times the amounts given above because
plant foods contain a form of iron called nonheme iron which is less easily used by
your body than heme iron present in non-vegetarian foods.