Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
When the body lacks iron, this is called iron deficiency, which can lead to a decrease in the levels of red blood cells. Therefore it is vital to know the symptoms of iron deficiency.
Iron is essential to produce haemoglobin in red blood cells, which helps carry oxygen in the body. Low levels of iron lead to fewer blood cells, and your body won’t get enough oxygen.
If you want to protect yourself from iron deficiency, it’s important to remain attentive to these signs and symptoms of iron deficiency.
More Tired
You will feel very tired, due to the lack of iron in your body, leading to less oxygen reaching the tissues and muscles.
Not only this, but your heart starts working harder to move around blood that is rich in oxygen, which makes you more tired.
You might feel:
- Weak
- Cranky
- Concentration Difficulties
- Less Productive
Shortness of Breath
When there’s not enough oxygen in your body, the muscles will be too weak to complete daily activities like walking. Your breathing rate automatically increases, because your body is trying to breathe in more oxygen.
Increased Heart Rate
This symptom is called heart palpitations and means that your heartbeat increases.
We mentioned before that your heart needs to work harder to move around oxygen, and that leads to irregular heartbeats.
It is important to know that in extreme cases, increased heart rate might lead to heart enlargement or failure.
Tongue and Mouth Swelling
Open your mouth and look inside. Is your tongue swollen or pale? This could be one of the symptoms of iron deficiency, and it might cause dryness of the mouth or cracked lips and ulcers around your mouth.
Changes in Fingernails
The sign is not very common, but it might happen as a result of iron deficiency.
You might find your fingernails weaker, more brittle and cracked.
Paleness
Changing facial skin colour is a common sign of iron deficiency.
It happens because the haemoglobin that makes the skin look red is less than normal which causes the skin to be pale.
Paleness might happen in the face only, but it can spread to other parts of your body too.
Headaches and Dizziness
The lack of iron means the less your body carries oxygen around your body. When the brain receives less oxygen, the blood vessels swell up causing pressure, headache and dizziness.
Other Symptoms
You might notice these signs and symptoms as well:
- Dry hair and skin
- Craving strange things like ice or chalk
- Anxiety
- Cold hands and feet.
It is essential to consult a doctor or a specialist if you are dealing with one or more of these symptoms. Find one on Okadoc.com now!
More Articles
What To Eat For Suhoor? Easy And Healthy Ideas
For people who fast in Ramadan, Suhoor is considered as body fuel, this is why it’s important to have a balanced meal. Here is our healthy recipes selection
Virtual Consultation With Doctors Through Okadoc
Okadoc now offers virtual consultation with trusted doctors and hospitals. Learn more here!
Digestive Health During Ramadan
During Ramadan, we can notice that the number of people visiting doctors for digestive problems increases. Let’s discover what are the most common disorders
Healthy Ways To Break Your Fast During Ramadan
Many people find it difficult to stick to normal, healthy eating habits during Ramadan. Here is a guide to the best way to break the fast.
Tips To Prevent Dehydration In Ramadan
While fasting the body loses a lot of water in several ways. Read our top tips to know how to prevent dehydration caused by this fluids loss.