{"id":2671,"date":"2019-01-06T11:38:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-06T11:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2671"},"modified":"2021-07-28T14:27:59","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T14:27:59","slug":"12-must-know-iron-deficiency-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/12-must-know-iron-deficiency-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Must-Know Iron Deficiency Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iron is one of the most vital minerals in the body. It can be found in every cell and it serves several important functions. It is responsible for creating hemoglobin, a protein within the red blood cells that allows them to transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If your iron levels are low, your body cannot produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the rest of the body, a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iron deficiency is a widespread problem that affects millions of people around the world. There are several factors that can contribute to this condition, including eating a diet that is low in iron, blood loss as a result of certain medical conditions, and inflammatory bowel disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the reason, iron deficiency can cause several symptoms that can impact your health and overall quality of life. Below are 12 common symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Excessive fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not unusual to feel tired from time to time; however, if you find that you are experiencing extreme fatigue, no matter how much sleep you get, it could be a sign of iron deficiency. In fact, fatigue <\/a>is one of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency. The reason? \u2013 The body needs iron in order to create hemoglobin, a protein that is found in the red blood cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This protein helps to transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If you aren\u2019t getting enough iron, your body can\u2019t produce enough hemoglobin, which means that sufficient amounts of oxygen cannot be carried to the rest of the body. As a result, the tissues, muscles, and vital organs in the body are deprived of oxygen, which can make you feel excessively tired. Fatigue is a telltale sign of iron deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Feeling winded<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom that is associated with iron deficiency is shortness of breath. Again, this has to do with the role that iron plays in the production of hemoglobin<\/a>, the protein found in red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all of the cells, tissues, muscles, and organs in the body. If you aren\u2019t getting enough iron, your body can\u2019t produce enough hemoglobin, which can lead to low levels of oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to an increased rate of breathing, as your body is trying to get the oxygen that it isn\u2019t getting from your red blood cells. If you find that you are winded after doing non-strenuous activities, such as climbing a short flight of stairs, walking a short distance, or even standing from a seated position, it could be a sign that your iron levels are low. Make sure that you have your levels checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Pale skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people pale skin normally, as their skin doesn\u2019t have high amounts of pigment. However, even people who are normally pale do have some sort of coloring to their skin, and that coloring is usually pinkish. If you find that your skin is unusually pale, there is a very good possibility that you are suffering from iron deficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hemoglobin that iron <\/a>produces is what gives red blood cells their red color. As red blood cells are transported throughout the body, they give the skin a pinkish undertone. If your iron levels are low, your body isn\u2019t able to produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin, and therefore, you also aren\u2019t able to produce enough red blood cells. As a result, the pinkish tone in your skin can be impacted, making you appear paler than usual. The gums, lips, nails, and even the inside of the eyelids can be affected.
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4. Palpitations in the heart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you find that you are experiencing an unusually strong heartbeat<\/a>, and the sensation comes and goes, low levels of iron could be to blame. Again, this symptom is directly related to the hemoglobin that iron is responsible for creating. Hemoglobin generates red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to every other element within the body, including the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren\u2019t getting enough iron, you aren\u2019t producing enough red blood cells. As a result, the heart may end up having to work overtime in order to transport the oxygen that your body needs to thrive. This can lead to heart palpitations, which can present as irregular heartbeats (a heartbeat that feels unusually strong from time to time) or an abnormally fast heartbeat. In extreme cases of iron deficiency, an enlarged heart or a heart murmur can develop, or even heart failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Intense headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A headache can be a symptom of several health conditions or exposure to various types of substances. For example, a sinus infection, migraines, dehydration<\/a>, or inhaling high amounts of toxic fumes are all things that can lead to headaches. However, low levels of iron can also cause intense headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because your body needs iron in order to produce red blood cells. Those red blood cells carry oxygen to every organ, muscle, and tissue in the body, including the brain. If you aren\u2019t getting enough iron, the blood vessels in your brain can end up swelling. This can lead to an increased amount of pressure in your brain, which can end up causing headaches. These headaches can be intense, they can occur frequently, and they can be recurrent. Many people associated these symptoms with migraines or other issues, but they are often caused by low iron. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Dizziness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yet another symptom that is commonly associated with low levels of iron is dizziness<\/a>. The cause of iron deficiency related dizziness is the same reason why low levels of iron cause headaches. Since iron is responsible for creating hemoglobin, the protein that produces red blood cells, if you aren\u2019t getting enough iron, your body isn\u2019t producing the number of red blood cells that it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, your body \u2013 including your brain \u2013 isn\u2019t getting the vital oxygen that it needs. If the oxygen supply to your brain is depleted, you could end up experiencing dizziness. This dizziness can come on suddenly and is very common when standing up quickly from a seated position. In extreme cases, the dizziness can be so intense that it leads to feelings of vertigo or can make you pass out. If you are suffering from chronic dizziness, have your iron levels checked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Restless leg syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Restless leg syndrome<\/a> (RLS) is a condition that leads to a creepy, crawly feeling running up and down the front of the shins. It also creates a strong urge to move your legs, especially when they are at rest, as well as intense itching. Restless leg syndrome tends to occur more frequently at night or when your activity levels are low, and as such, it can make it difficult to fall asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You feel the constant need to move your legs in order to control the symptoms. Though the exact cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown, it\u2019s believed that low levels of iron contribute to the condition. As many as 25 percents of people who experience RLS are believed to have low iron levels, and the lower their levels, the worse the symptoms. If you are suffering from RLS, low iron could be to blame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Swelling in the mouth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a common symptom associated with low iron levels, but it can certainly happen. As mentioned, red blood cells play a very important role in the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells not only contain hemoglobin, they also contain another protein known as myoglobin. This protein <\/a>supports and strengthens the muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your iron levels are low, so are your red blood cell levels, which in turn means that your myoglobin levels are low, too. Since the tongue is a muscle and since myoglobin supports the muscles of the body, if your levels of iron are low, the tongue can become swollen. In addition to being inflamed, the tongue can also appear smooth and feel sore. Additionally, it can get develop cracks or sores. Your mouth can also become dry. If you notice that the appearance of your tongue seems off, check your iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Excessively dry skin and hair<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dry skin and hair are not uncommon, especially if you are exposed to particularly dry conditions. However, if you are regularly moisturizing your hair with conditioner and your skin with lotion, the dryness should subside. If your attempts to moisturize your skin and hair aren\u2019t working, low iron levels could be to blame. Why? \u2013 When the body isn\u2019t receiving enough iron, it isn\u2019t producing enough oxygen-rich blood cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, your body will focus on sending oxygen <\/a>to more vital organs, muscles, and tissues, which means your skin and hair may not be getting the oxygen that they need. When skin and hair aren\u2019t receiving adequate amounts of oxygen, both can become dry and brittle. In severe cases of iron deficiency, hair loss can even occur. If your hair and skin are excessively and uncomfortably dry, iron deficiency could be the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Brittle fingernails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like your hair and skin, your nails can also suffer as a result of low iron levels. The reason for this is the same as the reason why your hair and skin become dry. When your body isn\u2019t receiving enough iron, it isn\u2019t producing the proper amount of oxygen-rich red blood cells that every component of your body needs to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to ensure that your most vital organs, tissues<\/a>, and muscles are receiving the oxygen that they need, the red blood cells that you do have will be sent to those vital organs, tissues, and muscles first, leaving little for other, less crucial parts of the body \u2013 such as the fingernails. Your nails receive oxygen through the beds of the fingers. If oxygen isn\u2019t reaching the beds of your fingers, your nails can become very dry and brittle, which will lead to easy breakage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Cravings for non-food items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people who are iron deficient experience a craving to eat things that aren\u2019t food, such as ice cubes, soil, clay, dirt, and even paper. The desire to eat non-food items is referred to as pica<\/a>. The reason people who have low iron levels sometimes crave these non-food items is that their bodies are trying to replenish the nutrient in any way it possibly can, which can spark the desire to eat things such as dirt, soil, clay, and ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms associated with iron deficiency-related pica are subconscious; in other words, the person who is craving them is unable to control his or her desire to eat things that are not considered food. Eating non-food items won\u2019t solve the iron deficiency, and more importantly, can have dangerous effects on your overall health and well being. If you experience pica, have your iron checked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Cold extremities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your hands and feet feel like they are cold all the time, even if you bundle them up with gloves and socks, you could be suffering from iron-deficiency anemia<\/a>. When your iron levels are low, your body isn\u2019t receiving the hemoglobin that it needs in order to produce enough oxygen-rich red blood cells. As a result, the red blood cells that you do have may not be able to reach your hands and feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your extremities aren\u2019t getting the oxygen that they need, they can end up feeling cold. This is because oxygen and blood create warmth. There are other reasons why your extremities may feel cold. For example, Raynaud\u2019s phenomenon, a vascular disease that causes spasms in the blood vessels, can make the hands and feet cold. No matter the cause, if your extremities are cold more often than not, have your iron checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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