Iron deficiency symptoms: Iron deficiency occurs when your body does not have enough mineral iron. Your body requires iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that helps them to carry oxygen through your blood vessels. If your body does not have enough hemoglobin, your muscles and tissues would not get enough oxygen to be able to function.
Iron deficiency symptoms:
Unusual tiredness
Feeling tired is one of the most typical signs of iron deficiency. This symptom is also common in people who fail to have enough iron, even if they have not obtained a diagnosis of deficiency. This unusual tiredness happens because your body lacks the iron it requires to make a protein called hemoglobin, which helps move oxygen around your body.
Without enough hemoglobin, smaller oxygen reaches your tissues and muscles, restraining them from energy.
Skin seems paler than usual
Skin that is paler than usual, as well as the pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids, are other typical signs of iron deficiency. The hemoglobin in red blood cells gives blood its red color, so iron deficiency makes the blood less red. That is why skin can look pale in some people.
Shortness of breath
Hemoglobin allows your red blood cells to carry oxygen in your body.
When hemoglobin is low during iron deficiency, oxygen levels are similarly low. This means that your muscles would not be able to acquire enough oxygen to do normal activities, such as roaming around.
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Dry and damaged hair and skin
Damaged or dry skin and hair may be symptoms of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency reduces the level of hemoglobin in your blood, which may lower the amount of oxygen unrestricted to cells that cause hair growth. When skin and hair are restrained from oxygen, they may become dry and weak. Iron deficiency is also connected with hair loss.
Swelling of your tongue or mouth
Sometimes, the inside or outside of your mouth points out whether you have iron deficiency. Symptoms include a swollen, inflamed, or strangely smooth tongue.
Restless legs
Iron deficiency is directly linked to restless leg syndrome. This condition involves a strong desire to move your legs while they are at rest. It may also cause unpleasing crawling or sensations in your feet and legs.
It is normally worse at night, meaning that you may find it tough to sleep.
Breakable or spoon-shaped fingernails
A much less common symptom of iron deficiency is breakable or spoon-shaped fingernails. Usually, the first sign is brittle nails that crack easily.
In the afterward stages of iron deficiency, spoon-shaped nails may appear. However, this is a rare side effect that occurs in only about 5-6% of people with iron deficiency. It is normally seen only in severe cases.