Signs of iron deficiency

Yuliya is an evergreen writer and editor for Health, where she covers topics such as neurological diseases, reproductive and LGBTQ+ health, cancer, and more. She has created online content for more than seven years—reported articles, blogs, social media, and videos—and has conducted medical and social science research. As an advocate and educator, she led reproductive health workshops for healthcare providers and college students. Iron deficiency without anemia is challenging to diagnose since the red blood cell counts are normal in lab tests. But you may still experience symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and difficulties concentrating, which can interfere with your work and daily life, per the April 2018 paper. If the deficiency progresses into IDA, the signs may become more severe. When it comes to iron, more isn't necessarily better. "While most [of] the attention is on iron deficiency, there is a concern as well for iron overload, which studies indicate can damage internal organs and may increase the risk of diabetes, heart attack, and cancer, particularly in older people," said nutritionist The One One One Diet. Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements.

Iron is a mineral that’s critical to overall health and well-being. It's found naturally in many foods (that you probably eat daily!) and added to some foods during processing. Consuming adequate amounts of iron is vital for optimal brain health, hormone production, cell functioning, But what makes iron such an essential part of our diets, anyways? For starters, it plays an essential role in red blood cell function. Iron assists in the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to tissues. Also a critical component of myoglobin (aka, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in muscle cells), iron supports muscle metabolism and healthy connective tissues. For athletes and those who are active, ideal oxygen transport and energy production is key for getting through a lengthy training cycle, tough workouts and competitions. According to the Although there are no specific requirements set for athletes, a 2015 research review published in the Iron deficiency occurs when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells in your body. The most common reason for iron deficiency, simply put, is supply not meeting demand. Iron is found in food in two different forms: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is found in But not all iron is created equal. Iron intake for vegans and vegetarians may be just as high as meat eaters, but the amount of iron absorbed may be much lower. Researchers reported in a 2014 review published in the Other causes of iron deficiency include heavy menstruation, celiac di...

Fatigue A sudden lack of energy and chronic fatigue are warning signs that you might be lacking enough iron. In order for all of the cells in your body to function efficiently, oxygen needs to be able to travel freely around the body. What does this mean to someone who is anemic? Oxygen attaches to hemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells that gives the red blood cells their color. If you're anemic, you don't have enough hemoglobin in your red blood cells. This causes problems when red blood cells try to distribute oxygen throughout the body. Fatigue begins to set in when there is less oxygen reaching the vital organs and muscles. This is usually only mild fatigue. If you're feeling extreme fatigue, you should immediately seek medical advice from a health professional; this could be a strong indication of an underlying reason for deep exhaustion. Skin Tone and Brittle Nails Pale skin in an anemic person is caused by the lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells and a lack of red blood cells in general. As the numbers of red blood cells become restricted, not enough reach the surface of the skin. Blood is then diverted away from the skin to supply the vital organs instead, making the skin pale. Though a pale complexion alone is not necessarily a sign of anemia, when combined with the other signs, it can be a good indicator. Having Palpitations Palpitations are irregular heartbeats. Palpitations occur when your heart has to make up for the lack of oxygen in the blood and must ...

Possibly. Doctors use the term "pica" to describe craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value — such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear. At least one study indicates that ice chewing might increase alertness in people with iron deficiency anemia. Less commonly, other nutritional problems may cause you to crave and chew ice. And in some individuals, pica is a sign of emotional problems, such as stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or a developmental disorder. A thorough medical evaluation can help determine if pica is due to an underlying medical condition. If the cause of pica is an emotional or developmental issue, cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful. • Kliegman RM, et al. Behavioral and psychiatric disorders. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 23, 2018. • Hunt MG, et al. Pagophagia improves neuropsychological processing speed in iron-deficiency anemia. Medical Hypotheses. 2014;83:473. • Powers JM, et al. Iron deficiency in infants and children <12 years: Screening, prevention, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 23, 2018.