10 Unexpected Signs You Might Have an Iron Deficiency

If you feel tired and breathless after minimal physical activity, or if you have a strong urge to eat ice or paper, it’s important to get a health checkup soon. These symptoms may indicate iron deficiency.

Iron is a vital mineral that makes a protein called haemoglobin inside red blood cells. This protein plays a significant role in supplying oxygen throughout the body. A low level of iron deficiency anaemia, left untreated, can lead to health complications. Common signs and symptoms might include shortness of breath, tiredness, and fatigue. The top 5 weird signs of iron deficiency are listed below.

10 unusual signs and symptoms of iron deficiency

1. Feeling hard to fall asleep

You may think that this condition leaves you feeling fatigued and tired and can get you good sleep, but unfortunately, iron deficiency may lead to restless leg syndrome (RLS), which creates an irresistible urge to move your leg. You may also experience unpleasant crawling or crawling sensations in the feet. This often occurs at night, making it difficult to sleep.

2. Feeling cold when others aren't

If you are hands and feet are constantly cold, you may have iron deficiency. According to a 2022 cureus study, a lack of iron hinders thyroid efficiency, and thyroid hormones help regulate your body temperature. 

3. Low mood or easily irritated

Iron is needed to produce dopamine in the brain, a hormone that makes us happy. Iron deficiency can also cause anxiety, depression, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. Inadequate oxygen to internal organs can diminish physical and mental energy levels. 

4. Odd cravings for things that are not actually food

If you ate dirt as a child, you may have had an iron deficiency. People with severe iron deficiency crave nonfood items with zero nutritional value, such as dirt, clay, cardboard, ice, paper, and cleaning supplies. This condition is known as PICA and can be hard to diagnose because people will feel ashamed of their weird addictions. Feel free to talk about this to your doctor, which can help in proper diagnosis and treatment.

5. Cracked or dry lips

Everyone has experienced the pain of cracked lips due to harsh winters. However, iron deficiency may lead to angular cheilitis, which affects the corners of the mouth. This makes the lips dry and cracked every time, making it difficult to eat, smile, and even talk. While treating angular cheilitis, it is also important to treat the underlying iron deficiency.

6. Unusual tiredness and fatigue

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lists fatigue as one of the most prevalent symptoms of iron deficiency, which can occur when iron stores in the body dip slightly. Fatigue happens because the body lacks iron, which is needed to make a protein called haemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen around the body. Without enough haemoglobin, less oxygen is delivered to tissues and muscles, depriving them of energy.

7. Brittle or spoon-shaped fingernails

Although it seems to be unrelated, your nails can also say a lot about your health. Weak or Spoon shaped nails that look like your middle part 

It is scooped out and big enough to hold a drop of water. Weak, brittle, and spoon-shaped nails can also be a sign that you have low iron levels in your body. The nail can be seen pale in colour because of iron deficiency anaemia. 

In addition to iron deficiency, it can also be caused by frequent exposure to petroleum solvents, detergents, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

8. Swelling & soreness of the tongue and mouth

Sometimes, changes inside or outside your mouth can also indicate iron deficiency. It can make the tongue swollen, sore, pale and unusually smooth. You may also experience ulcers or burning feelings in the mouth. Due to iron deficiency, your tongue may not get essential protein, which can result in the above condition. It may also arise as a result of allergic responses, smoking, or other health issues.

9. You’re out of breath easily

Haemoglobin helps red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. When haemoglobin levels are low with iron deficiency, oxygen levels are low, resulting in a decreased oxygen supply to the muscles. This makes it hard to carry out daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and exercise. As a result, When your body tries to receive more oxygen, your breathing rate rises, causing you to become short of breath. 

10. Skin and hair damage

Dry or damaged skin and hair may indicate iron deficiency. Iron deficiency reduces haemoglobin levels in your blood, potentially reducing the level of oxygen available to cells that support hair growth. Lack of oxygen can cause skin and hair to become dry and weak.

Takeaway 

If you suspect that you have iron deficiency, the good news is that it is relatively easy to confirm with a simple blood test administered by a doctor. Suppose the test indicates you do have a low iron level. It is important to work with a medical professional to find out what the cause is and start therapy. There are also plenty of diet choices that can help manage iron deficiency.