5 weird signs of iron deficiency

5 weird signs of iron deficiency. Anemia occurs when you have a decreased level of hemoglobin in your red blood cells (RBCs). Hemoglobin is the protein in your RBCs that’s responsible for carrying oxygen to your tissues.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. It occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron, which your body needs to make hemoglobin. When there isn’t enough iron in your blood, the rest of your body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs.

While the condition may be common, many people don’t know they have iron-deficiency anemia. It’s possible to experience symptoms for years without knowing the cause.

In women of childbearing age, a common cause of iron-deficiency anemia is a loss of iron in the blood due to heavy menstruation or pregnancy. A poor diet, or certain intestinal diseases that affect how the body absorbs iron, can also cause iron-deficiency anemia.

Insufficient iron levels can wreak havoc all over the body. Here are seven surprising signs you may have iron deficiency.

1. Extreme fatigue and exhaustion

Fatigue is one of the most common signs of iron deficiency because it means your body is having trouble carrying the oxygen to your cells so it’s affecting your energy levels. People lacking enough iron in their blood often feel sluggish, weak, and unable to focus. Though fatigue can be the sign of numerous conditions, if it does not go away with adequate rest, consider having your iron levels checked.

2. Frequent infections

Iron plays a key role in a healthy immune system, so lower levels of the mineral can make someone more susceptible to infections. Red blood cells help to transport oxygen to the spleen, which is one place where infections can be fought off. Red blood cells also carry oxygen to the lymph nodes, which house infection-fighting white blood cells.

When someone has an iron deficiency, the white blood cells aren’t being produced as well, and they’re not as strong because they’re not getting enough oxygen, making that person more susceptible to infections.

3. Pale skin

Hemoglobin gives skin its rosy color, so low levels cause the skin to become lighter. When red blood cells become low in iron, they become smaller and paler in the center so skin also becomes paler. This may be easier to detect in people with lighter complexions, but no matter what your skin tone, if the area inside your bottom eyelid is lighter than normal, this may be a sign of iron deficiency.

4. Swollen tongue

Changes to your tongue, including soreness or swelling, can be a sign of iron deficiency. Cracks on the side of the mouth are also common among people with iron deficiency.

5. Restless Legs Syndrome

Some people who have iron deficiency develop restless legs syndrome, a disorder that causes you to have a strong urge to move your legs. The urge often comes with an unpleasant, crawling sensation in the legs that can make it hard to sleep.

6. Pica

People with iron deficiency may develop cravings for non-food substances, such as clay, dirt, or chalk, a condition known as pica. However, submitting to your cravings and eating these substances could be harmful, as it may lead to the ingestion of harmful toxins and substances. Eating clay, chalk, and dirt can actually interfere with absorption of iron.

7. Hair loss

Iron deficiency, especially when it develops into anemia, can cause hair loss. When hair follicles don’t get enough oxygen, they go into a resting stage, and hair falls out and doesn’t grow back until anemia is improved. It is normal to lose about 100 strands of hair per day. However, if you notice your hair loss is excessive and it is not growing back, this may be a sign of iron deficiency.

What are common signs of iron-deficiency anemia?

Some common signs you may have this condition include:

• Your nails are brittle or spoon. This is a condition called koilonychia. Your nails look concave, like spoons, instead of growing flat
• You have cracks at the corners of your mouth
• You have pale skin, or your skin is paler than usual
• Your tongue hurts or feels sore
• Your hands feel cold to others

If you’re experiencing these symptoms and think you may be iron deficient, speak to your doctor or Visit ER of Texas’s closest emergency rooms. We can help you get to the root cause of your iron deficiency, find ways to include more iron-rich foods in your diet, and determine whether you need to take supplemental iron.

Symptoms

Shortness of breath and a Racing Heart

5 weird signs of iron deficiency. During exercise, it is normal to experience some shortness of breath and a racing heart because there is an increased demand for oxygen in your body. If you are iron deficient, your blood may not contain enough oxygen for your muscles to do everyday activities such as walking.

Your body tries to make up for this by increasing your breathing rate to get more oxygen into your body, and by increasing your heart rate to help move the oxygen around your body.

Sore tongue or dry mouth

Iron deficiency can affect the surface of your tongue making it feel sore for no apparent reason.

Likewise, you may have an uncomfortably dry mouth even if you have been drinking plenty of liquids.

Cracks and ulcers in your mouth

Iron deficiency can also cause the appearance of sore, red, flaky cracks at one or both of the sides of your mouth. This feels more extreme than when your lips are chapped due to cold weather.

Mouth ulcers are sore white patches on the inside your mouth. There are many reasons why you might have mouth ulcers, including biting the inside of your mouth, stress and being run down, but another reason could be iron deficiency.

Cold intolerance or cold hands and feet

If you feel the cold easily or regularly have cold hands and/or feet even in warm environments, it may be that there is not enough oxygen being delivered in your blood to your hands and feet, which could be a result of iron deficiency.

Craving to eat non-food items

Craving certain foods from time to time is normal, especially during pregnancy. However If you have cravings to eat ice or non-food items such as clay, dirt, ash, and starch this could be a sign of iron deficiency.

This kind of eating disorder is also called “pica”. If you are eating ice regularly you may also want to discuss this with your dentist as frequently chewing ice can damage your teeth.

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a disturbing need to move your legs when resting, such as when you are in bed. This distressing feeling often goes away when you move your legs.

What are the causes of iron-deficiency anemia?

According to the ASH, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. There are many reasons that a person might become deficient in iron. These include:

Inadequate iron intake

Eating too little iron over an extended amount of time can cause a shortage in your body. Foods such as meat, eggs, and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron. Because iron is essential during times of rapid growth and development, pregnant women and young children may need even more iron-rich foods in their diet.

Pregnancy or blood loss due to menstruation

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron-deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age. So is pregnancy, because your body needs more iron during this time in order to create enough oxygen for the baby.

Internal bleeding

Certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Examples include a stomach ulcer, polyps in the colon or intestines, or colon cancer. Regular use of certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, can also lead to bleeding in the stomach.

Inability to absorb iron

Certain disorders or surgeries that affect the intestines can also interfere with how your body absorbs iron. Even if you get enough iron in your diet, celiac disease or intestinal surgery such as gastric bypass may limit the amount of iron your body can absorb.

Endometriosis

If you have endometriosis, you may have heavy blood loss during menstrual periods. You may not even know you have endometriosis because it occurs hidden in the abdominal or pelvic area outside of the uterus.

Genetics

Some conditions — like celiac disease — that can make it difficult to absorb enough iron are passed down through families. There are also genetic conditions or mutations that can add to the problem. One of these is the TMRPSS6 mutation. This mutation causes your body to make too much hepcidin. Hepcidin is a hormone that can block your intestines from absorbing iron.