When your body doesn't have enough of the mineral iron, you have an iron deficiency. Your body requires iron to generate haemoglobin, a protein that allows red blood cells to transmit oxygen via your blood vessels.
Your muscles and tissues won't be able to function properly if your body doesn't have enough haemoglobin to carry oxygen to them. This Condition is known as anaemia.
Despite the fact that anaemia comes in a variety of forms, iron deficiency anaemia is the most prevalent worldwide. There are several types of iron deficiency symptoms depending on:
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your age
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your current health status
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how quickly it develops
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the severity of the anemia
In some cases, people experience no symptoms.
Shortness of breath
Haemoglobin enables your red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout your body. Oxygen levels are also low with iron insufficiency when haemoglobin levels are low. Your muscles won't get enough oxygen to perform typical actions such as walking.
As a result of your body trying to receive more oxygen, your breathing will increase because of this, having trouble breathing is a common symptom.
Iron deficiency may be the cause of your difficulty breathing when performing regular activities like walking, climbing stairs, or working out.
Headaches
Headaches can result from an iron deficit, especially in those who are menstruating. Researchers believe there are a number of variables at play, including the connection between altered dopamine function and estrogen levels, although the cause-and-effect relationship between iron deficiency and headaches is yet unknown.
Although there are various reasons why people have headaches, iron deficiency may be the cause of regular, chronic headaches.
Dry and damaged hair and skin
Hair and skin that are damaged or dry might indicate a lack of iron. Haemoglobin levels drop due to iron shortage, which may result in less oxygen being accessible to the cells that form hair. Lack of oxygen can cause skin and hair to become weak and dry.
Additionally, iron deficiency is linked to hair loss, and some studies even show that it may be the cause, especially in females and those who are reproductive age.
It is totally normal for some hair to come out while bathing and brushing on a daily basis. But if you're losing clumps or significant amounts, you could have an iron shortage.
Restless legs
Restless leg syndrome has been connected to iron insufficiency. When your legs are at rest, you have a strong urge to move them. Additionally, it might result in uncomfortable itching or crawling sensations in your legs and feet.
Since it normally becomes worse at night, it could be difficult for you to sleep. It is unclear what causes primary restless legs syndrome. However, it is known to develop subsequent to a number of diseases, such as iron deficiency anaemia.
In fact, compared to the general population, those with iron deficiency anaemia have a 6 times higher risk of developing restless legs syndrome.
Spoon-shaped fingernails
Brittle or spoon-shaped fingernails are a considerably less frequent sign of iron insufficiency. This Condition is known as koilonychia. Usually brittle, easily chipped, and cracked nails are the first symptom.
Spoon-shaped nails, in which the centre of your nail lowers and the borders rise to give it a rounded look like a spoon, may develop in later stages of iron insufficiency.
However, only approximately 5% of patients with iron deficiency experience this uncommon adverse effect only severe instances are often encountered.
