If you’re not getting enough iron, a lot of bad things can happen.
Being iron deficient means that your body won’t produce enough hemoglobin, which is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. Without the proper amount of oxygen being transported, your tissues and muscles won’t work properly. This is called anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and it has various symptoms, which is what we’re discussing today. In this post, we’re going to look at 6 warning signs of iron deficiency.
One of the biggest reasons for iron deficiency is diet-related, so if you experience these warning signs, you may need to make some changes. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Mysterious Fatigue
Fatigue is a tough thing to diagnose as a symptom of something like iron deficiency because it could be related to so many other things. If you’re iron deficient, you’ll probably have other symptoms along with extreme tiredness, which is the direct result of a lack of hemoglobin.
2. Shortness of Breath
When your hemoglobin levels are low, so are your oxygen levels, which makes breathing more difficult. If you’re experiencing shortness of breath during normal activities, like walking or going upstairs, it could be because of iron deficiency.
3. Fuzzy Headedness
Headaches and light-headedness are common with iron deficiency. Doctors aren’t positive why this is the case, but it likely has to do with a lack of oxygen going to the brain. Without enough oxygen, the blood vessels in the brain will start to swell and create a fuzzy feeling.
4. Heart Palpitations
There’s nothing more alarming than a bout of heart palpitations. It can feel like your heart is doing too much work, bordering on beating out of your chest. Accompanied by shortness of breath and headaches, it’s easy to think the worst.
Only in extreme cases will you find yourself in danger, but if it gets to palpitations, you need to see a doctor. Better to take iron tablets from Feroglobin than to experience heart failure.
5. Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome is when you have unexplained urges to move your legs when they’re at rest. It can be extremely unpleasant and take a toll on your sleep. The cause of RLS is still a bit of a mystery, but a quarter of all people with iron deficiency experience it.
6. Paleness
Pale skin can be a sign of iron deficiency. Hemoglobin is what gives blood its red color, so when you’ve got low hemoglobin levels, your blood is paler and thus, your skin is pale as well. The face, gums, inner lips, and eyelids are all places to check for paleness.
Beating Iron Deficiency Early
If you think you might have an iron deficiency, you should talk to your doctor. Once diagnosed, it’s easy to treat with a change in diet or supplements. Red meat, leafy greens, dried fruits, seeds, and nuts are all high in iron and vitamin C. These will help your body absorb the iron more effectively.
If you found this post helpful, come back again for more on health and fitness.
