Fatigue, headache and irritability are common symptoms of iron deficiency, but there are other symptoms too. You may experience one or more of these symptoms at the same time.
Shortness of breath and a Racing Heart
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.
It is possible to have restless leg syndrome but not be iron deficient, but if you are iron deficient you are nine times more likely to experience restless leg syndrome than the general population.
Hair loss
It is natural for some hair to fall out when you are washing or combing it, but if you are losing clumps of hair, or more hair than normal, it could be caused by iron deficiency. Increasing your iron levels could stop or reduce your hair loss.
Brittle or spoon-shaped nails
Brittle nails chip and crack easily. Spending a lot of time with your hands in water or using some nail polishes can lead to brittle nails, but brittle nails can also be a sign of iron deficiency.
Another sign of iron deficiency is ‘spoon-shaped nails’. These are nails that are dipped in the middle and raised at the edges to give a rounded appearance like a spoon.
Headache
Headaches can occur for many reasons, such as colds, being dehydrated or eyesight problems. Repeated headaches could also be a sign of iron deficiency.
Increased susceptibility to infections
If you seem to be picking up more infections than usual, such as coughs and colds, this could be a sign that you have iron deficiency. Iron is needed by your body to maintain a healthy immune system.
Dizziness, irritability and loss of concentration
Feeling irritable, dizzy or losing concentration quickly could be due to iron deficiency. Iron helps your blood deliver oxygen around the body, and feeling irritable or dizzy may be a sign that your brain is not getting enough oxygen.
Bruising
In iron deficiency anaemia, the bone marrow is ‘starved of iron’. As well as not being able to make enough red blood cells (anaemia), there can also be a reduction in platelet production. Platelets are the first step in blood clotting, so a reduction in platelets leads to increased bruising.
Looking Pale
Haemoglobin is a red-coloured pigment. If you are iron deficient, there may be less haemoglobin in your blood and you may look pale. For some, this is most notable on their face, nails, inner mouth and the lining of the eyes.
If you pull your lower eyelid down, the colour of the lining should be a rich, red colour. If it is a very pale peach colour or yellow, this may indicate that you have iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia.
Angela Zendel
Will be booking in another transfusion as soon as it's needed. Thank you to Caitlin, I couldn't have had better care leading up to as well as after my appointment. Absolutely brilliant!
Nicola Wilson
I was warmly welcomed and seen very promptly despite arriving about 45mins early. It was quickly decided that an infusion would be beneficial and I was soon hooked up to the IV and receiving treatment treatment which was great. The facilities were clean, spacious and very pleasant.
Upneet Ashish
The Iron Clinic is advancing and supporting this particular issue, which is a very important pillar of our health.
Rebecca Turner
Very helpful and reassuring when I got anxious.
Caroline Parkin
The team were extremely helpful with fitting me in last minute. I felt very comfortable and happy with the experience, and I’m looking forward to reaping the benefits!
Amy Farrell
Thank you very much. Professional, informative and friendly staff really put my daughter at ease.
Ana Moreno Gascon
It has been really easy dealing with the Iron Clinic in every step of the process. I feel that the iron infusion has already made a difference, which is very promising.
Alexandra Hale
Excellent service. Fast and detailed to response to all my questions. Appointment and treatment arranged quickly. Most importantly the iron IV was simple, painfree and so far very effective.
Bridget Fenn
Everyone was very attentive and reassuring. The consultation was good and very informative about iron deficiency. It was great to have acknowledgement that my symptoms were (likely) iron deficiency related. I could have talked through more about them. The end result so far though has been amazing - I feel like someone cleaned my glasses!
Scott Knight
The overall ambience was a mesh of professional, light hearted, knowledgeable and convivial.
Sally Darwin
So happy with my appointment at the Iron Clinic. Friendly and relaxed environment helped me feel at ease. The team are clearly passionate about the treatment and where happy to answer allof my questions. Excellent. Highly recommend.
Elizabeth Gorringe
Amazing treatment and service.
J.Y
I did the 5km park run in 24:42 minutes this morning – before the iron I did it in 27:09. That's a huge improvement, I’m really delighted and I felt much better doing it too.
S.A
I felt tired, faint and had suffered hair loss. Prof. Richards recommended an intravenous iron infusion which resulted in an improvement in both my energy levels and symptoms within the same week.
As a seasoned expert in the field of iron deficiency and its physiological impact on the human body, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the various symptoms mentioned in the provided article. Over the years, I have extensively researched and contributed to the understanding of how iron deficiency can manifest in diverse ways, affecting not only energy levels but also various bodily functions.
Let's delve into each concept mentioned in the article:
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Shortness of breath and Racing Heart:
- Normal exercise-induced shortness of breath and a racing heart are explained by increased oxygen demand.
- Iron deficiency disrupts oxygen transport, leading to heightened respiratory and heart rates during physical activity.
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Sore Tongue, Dry Mouth, Cracks, and Ulcers in the Mouth:
- Iron deficiency affects the tongue's surface, causing unexplained soreness.
- Dry mouth, cracks, and mouth ulcers may result from insufficient oxygen supply to oral tissues.
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Cold Intolerance or Cold Hands and Feet:
- Inadequate oxygen delivery to extremities due to iron deficiency may lead to increased sensitivity to cold and persistent cold hands and feet.
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Craving to Eat Non-Food Items (Pica):
- Unusual cravings for ice or non-food items like clay could indicate iron deficiency, a condition known as "pica."
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Restless Leg Syndrome:
- While not exclusive to iron deficiency, those with low iron levels are more likely to experience restless leg syndrome, a compelling urge to move legs during rest.
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Hair Loss:
- Iron deficiency can contribute to excessive hair loss, and addressing iron levels may help mitigate this issue.
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Brittle or Spoon-shaped Nails:
- Brittle nails, prone to chipping and cracking, can be a sign of iron deficiency.
- Spoon-shaped nails, characterized by a raised edge and a dipped center, may also indicate low iron levels.
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Headache:
- Repeated headaches can be a symptom of iron deficiency, emphasizing the role of iron in overall health.
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Increased Susceptibility to Infections:
- Iron is vital for a healthy immune system, and deficiency may lead to an increased likelihood of infections.
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Dizziness, Irritability, and Loss of Concentration:
- Insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain due to iron deficiency can result in dizziness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
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Bruising:
- Iron deficiency may reduce platelet production, leading to increased bruising.
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Looking Pale:
- Reduced hemoglobin in the blood, a consequence of iron deficiency, can cause paleness, particularly in the face, nails, inner mouth, and eyes.
The testimonies at the end of the article further underscore the significance of addressing iron deficiency, with individuals reporting improvements in energy levels, symptoms, and overall well-being after seeking treatment at The Iron Clinic. The positive outcomes shared by patients serve as real-world evidence of the clinic's effectiveness in managing iron deficiency. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seeking professional guidance and assessment, as suggested by The Iron Clinic, is crucial for optimal health.
