Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that occurs when your body does not have enough iron. Our body depends on iron chiefly for producing haemoglobin, which enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Hence, deficiency of iron can leave you tired and short of breath.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

– Chronic fatigue or tiredness – Pale skin – Weakness – Shortness of breath or trouble breathing – Headaches

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

– Dizziness – Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat – Brittle nails – Internal bleeding

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

– Heavy menstrual bleeding – Leg cramps or restless leg syndrome – Constipation or diarrhea – Slow blood loss or chronic blood loss

Causes of Iron Deficiency

– Not getting enough iron in your diet – Blood loss – Increased need for iron – Exercise – Inability to absorb iron

Causes of iron deficiency in adults

– Not getting enough iron in your diet – Blood loss – Increased need for iron – Exercise – Inability to absorb iron

Causes of iron deficiency in children

– prematurity and low birth weight exclusive breastfeeding beyond 6 months – low or no meat intake – vegetarian and vegan eating

Causes of iron deficiency in children

– poor diet in the second year of life – possible gastrointestinal diseases – lead poisoning – high intake of cow’s milk in young children less than 2 years of age