9 Signs of Low Iron [Stay Aware of These!]

A lack of iron can lead to all kinds of problems for your health, so it’s important to identify it early. Here are nine common signs you should look out for.

The amount of iron in your blood can significantly affect your health and vitality. Iron is an essential mineral that your body uses to produce red blood cells, which make up a big part of the body’s entire blood supply.

Hemoglobin is responsible for the transportation and delivery of oxygen throughout the entire body. When iron levels are low, hemoglobin production takes a halt. This causes a chain reaction of problems in the body.

Lack of iron can cause anemia. But, you can stop anemia from progressing by paying close attention to your body.

Here are nine signs that you might have low iron. If you notice more than one of these symptoms, it is time to consult a doctor.

1. Fatigue

Do you often feel sleepy? Do you find yourself taking regular naps? Do you lose energy fast?

This extreme fatigue could be due to a lack of hemoglobin. Remember, that’s what carries oxygen throughout the body. When your iron levels are low, the body can’t produce enough hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Then, your blood is low in oxygen, which will cause fatigue.

2. Shortness of Breath

Do you often find yourself needing to stop and take deep breaths, even while doing small activities?

Again, a lack of hemoglobin is the culprit. Low iron results in a lack of oxygen delivered to your lungs, making you winded while doing everyday things.

Without a proper iron supply, merely walking up stairs or washing your car can seem like an impossible task.

3. Heart Palpitations

Do you often feel your heart racing unexpectedly? Are your heartbeats harder than usual?

This happens when your heart has to work harder to push blood throughout your body.

Your body doesn’t know why it lacks oxygen; it just tries to rectify the situation. These racing heartbeats result from your body begging for more oxygen and energy to carry out its needed functions.

4. Lightheadedness

Do you sometimes feel dizzy? Are headaches common?

Lack of oxygen to the brain causes swelling of brain cells. This swelling pushes on the nerves around the brain and causes pain in the form of headaches.

Iron is necessary for hemoglobin production. With low iron, the hemoglobin levels decline. 

This lack of hemoglobin results in less oxygen in the body. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen molecules and carries it through the blood to the body’s necessary parts, including the brain. 

5. Pale Skin

Do people comment that you are looking paler than usual? Do you have white gums or nails, or are the inside of your lips or eyelids white?

This lack of color is due to fewer red blood cells in your veins.

Of course, some people have pale skin due to genetics. It’s only a sign of low iron if you notice a remarkable difference in your skin color.

6. Dry Skin, Hair, or Nails

Have you been losing hair? Do you suffer from dry, flaky skin? Do you have brittle, breaking nails?

Lack of oxygen to these parts of your body will cause damage and weaken them.  Many people with low iron complain that they have dry skin, hair, and nails and are even finding bald patches.

Iron won’t just help you to feel your best, but it can also help you to look your best.

7. Feeling Cold Easily

People with low iron levels often complain about feeling cold. This is due to the lack of blood and oxygen running through the body to warm it up and keep the internal furnace running.

This cold feeling is often worse in the hands and feet, but it can lead to chilliness throughout the whole body.

Do you wear three layers of clothing when others are in a t-shirt? You might have low iron.

8. Restless Leg Syndrome

Are you feeling like your legs need to move when you are resting? Are you plagued by a crawling or itchy sensation in your feet and legs? Do you have difficulty sleeping because of this?

This phenomenon’s exact cause is unknown, but studies show that those with low iron are nine times more likely to have restless leg syndrome. That’s a significant jump in cases.

Whatever the cause of RLS, low iron will only exacerbate it. 

9. Swollen Tongue

Does your tongue feel big or inflamed? Is your mouth often sore? Do you suffer from a dry, burning sensation in your mouth?

These are all unpleasant signs of iron anemia. Recurring canker sores and oral ulcers are common signs, too.

One study showed that people suffering from recurrent oral ulcers tend to have low ferritin levels. Ferritin is the stored form of iron in our bodies. 

Therefore, low iron will lead to low ferritin and possibly cause an excess of mouth sores.

Conclusion

If you believe that you are suffering from low iron, ask your doctor to check your iron levels. If your doctor finds low iron, they may suggest a change in diet and iron supplementation.

Once you raise your iron levels back to a normal state, you’ll undoubtedly feel much healthier and more energized.

Author Bio

Jill Bowers is the property manager at Industry Columbus, a luxury apartment community in Columbus, OH.