The Common Signs and Symptoms of an Iron Deficiency

Have you ever felt fatigued just going about your regular day? You may have an iron deficiency.

No need to panic, iron deficiency is extremely common and there are ways to replenish your body’s iron reserves. Continue reading to learn more about a few signs of iron deficiency and the importance of iron in how your body functions.

Signs of an Iron Deficiency

The cells in our body need oxygen in order to function properly.  Specifically, the red blood cells in our body require the mineral iron in order to transport oxygen between the lungs and our organs and tissue.

Low iron levels cause a disruption in this cycle.

There are a variety of symptoms that present for those that are iron deficient. The signs can vary depending on your age and the current state of your overall health.

Fatigue

As mentioned previously, fatigue is one of the more common signs you need iron replenishment.

With a lack of iron, your body is unable to make the protein hemoglobin. This causes a lack of oxygen, resulting in less energy, feeling weak, or difficulty concentrating. Because of this, your heart goes into overtime in order to move the oxygen you need around your body.

It is common to mistake that tired feeling as a normal part of your everyday working life. However, it is a good idea to check with your doctor if you’ve been experiencing fatigue for longer than a few weeks.

Supplementation may be suggested, such as taking Iron Tablets From Vitabiotics which can aid in the reduction of tiredness.

Paleness

Our good friend hemoglobin comes back into play here. This protein present in red blood cells is what gives blood its red color.

Low levels of this protein due to an iron deficiency can cause a paleness in the face, nails, or lower eyelids.

This sort of paleness is more commonly found in more severe cases of iron deficiency.

Palpitations

While heart palpitations due to an iron deficiency are not as common as fatigue, it still remains a notable symptom.

A long-standing iron deficiency would need to be present in order to experience symptoms like irregular heartbeats or a heart murmur. However, because your heart is working in overdrive to carry oxygen throughout the body (due to those low hemoglobin levels), irregular heartbeats can occur.

Temperature

Another common symptom is the feeling of cold extremities. It sounds redundant, but the lack of oxygen circulating within your body has a domino effect on how the rest of your body functions and feels.

Poor oxygen translates to poor circulation which translates to cold hands and feet.

A Vital Mineral

The benefits of iron are numerous as iron plays a vital role in the proper functioning of our immune system and body as a whole.

Your doctor will be able to suggest the best iron supplements for you to assist in proper supplementation and get your immune system back up to speed.

For those with an iron deficiency, some experience no symptoms. However, if you suspect you may be iron deficient and are wondering how to get more iron, be sure to check out other articles related to supplementation or visit our Health and Fitness section for more information.