Signs you have iron deficiency

Iron is a mineral that plays a vital role in health and overall well-being. It helps you produce red blood cells and maintain a healthy immune system, so getting enough iron is essential, especially for women.

The body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen through your blood vessels. Without enough hemoglobin, your tissues and muscles won’t be able to work effectively, which can then lead to anemia.

With this said, would you like to know the signs of iron deficiency? Then check out this gallery.

You're exhausted

Exhaustion is the most common symptom of iron deficiency, but it's also the most difficult one to detect due to busy and stressful lifestyles.

Iron deficiency causes less oxygen to reach your tissues, so your body is deprived of the energy it needs. If your fatigue is mixed with you feeling weak, irritable, or unable to focus, then it can be related to iron deficiency.

You're pale

Hemoglobin gives your blood its red color, which also means it gives your skin its rosy hue. Therefore, low levels of the protein can make you look pale.

It's easy to spot if you have a light complexion. But no matter your skin tone, if the inside of your lips, gums, and the inside of your bottom eyelids are less red than usual, low iron may be to blame.

You crave nonfood substances

Known as pica, craving and actually eating nonfood substances can be a sign of iron deficiency. Iron-deficient people may be tempted to chew on chalk, clay, dirt, or paper.

Luckily, ice would be the safest choice if you really crave nonfood substances. However, still check with your doctor in case you start craving something else.

You feel anxious for no reason

Iron deficiency can trick you into feeling even more anxious. A lack of oxygen accelerates your body's sympathetic nervous system, which is like the body's gas pedal.

On top of that, because iron deficiency can send your heart racing, it's easy to feel like you're in fight-or-flight mode even when you have every reason to feel relaxed.

You have restless leg syndrome

If you can't stop fidgeting, you probably need to check your iron levels, as about 15% of people with restless leg syndrome have iron deficiency. The lower the iron levels, the worse the symptoms.

You get short of breath easily

It doesn't matter how deep you breathe, if your oxygen levels are low, you'll easily feel out of air. And this can be a symptom of iron deficiency.

If you notice yourself getting out of breath doing things that you'd normally handle just fine, be it climbing stairs or doing your usual workout, iron deficiency could be to blame.

You have an underactive thyroid

Iron deficiency slows your body's thyroid function and blocks its metabolism-boosting effects. Hypothyroidism if often missed, meaning a lot of people don't even know they have a thyroid disease.

So if you notice low energy levels, weight gain, or even a lower body temperature, talk to your doctor, as these could be signs of an underactive thyroid.

You get headaches

Although there are many causes of headaches, frequent headaches may be a symptom of iron deficiency, particularly in those who are menstruating.

An iron-deficient body will prioritize getting oxygen to your brain before it worries about other tissues. In response, the brain's arteries can swell, causing headaches.

You have celiac or an inflammatory bowel disease

Even if you get enough iron in your diet, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases can lead to problems absorbing nutrients, including iron.

These conditions cause inflammation and damage to the digestive tract. If you've been diagnosed with any of these diseases, talk to your doctor about how you can increase your iron intake.

You have heavy periods

In women, the number one cause of iron deficiency is too-heavy periods. This means they lose too much blood, replace about half of it, and then lose again too much the following month.

Your period should only fill two to three tablespoons each month. To check this, try the tampon test. If you have to change a tampon more than every two hours, talk to a gynecologist.

You're vegetarian or vegan

Not all iron is the same. Your body absorbs heme iron, which comes from meat, poultry, and fish, two to three times more efficiently than non-heme iron from plants.

The good news is you can still get enough iron with careful meal planning. Dark leafy greens, whole grains, and legumes are all rich in iron. And to boost your absorption, pair them with vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers, berries, and broccoli.

Your heart is pounding

An overworked heart can end up suffering from irregular heartbeats, enlargement, and even heart failure. But for things to get that bad, you would probably have to suffer from iron deficiency anemia for a long time.

However, if you have heart problems, it's important to get your iron levels checked, as iron deficiency can worsen with heart problems.

Your tongue looks strange

Low iron counts can reduce levels of myoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that supports muscle health, including the muscles that make up the tongue. It can turn the tongue sore, inflamed, and strangely smooth.

You're losing your hair

Don't panic if there are a few hairs in your drain. Most scalps lose about 100 hairs on a good day. But if you notice an unusual amount of hair loss, this could be a symptom of iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency, especially when it progresses into full-blown anemia, can cause hair loss. This is because it sends your body into survival mode, so your body channels oxygen to support vital functions instead to ones like keeping your hair intact.

You're pregnant

Babies-to-be need iron, and they can steal a lot from the mother. Also, many women lose a substantial amount of blood during delivery, which can lower iron counts.

If you're pregnant, have pregnancies close together, or regularly vomit because of morning sickness, you may need to boost your iron intake.

How to get more iron

Iron requirements aren't one-size-fits-all, especially for women. The amount depends on your age, if you're pregnant, how heavy your periods are, and even your weight. It's best to seek professional help in order to know which foods or even supplements work for you.