5 Unusual Signs of Iron Deficiency You Shouldn't Ignore!

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the level of red blood cells in the body is lower than normal, meaning the body doesn’t have enough iron. The body needs iron to make a protein known as hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues. This process is essential for the tissues and muscles to function effectively. (1)

Several factors contribute to iron deficiency anemia including:

Inadequate Iron Intake – eating too little iron over an extended amount of time can cause a shortage in the body. Foods such as meat, eggs and green leafy vegetables are high in iron.
Pregnancy or Blood Loss Due to Menstruation – In adult women, the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia are heavy menstrual bleeding and blood loss during childbirth.
Internal Bleeding – Certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding which can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
Inability to Absorb Iron – Certain disorders or even surgeries that affect the intestines can interfere with how the body absorbs iron.

Iron deficiency anemia is actually quite common, but many people aren’t aware when they develop it. It can occur in both men and women at any age. Those who are at a higher risk for iron deficiency anemia include women who are pregnant, people who donate blood frequently, vegetarians who don’t replace meat with other iron-rich foods or people who have a poor diet, and infants and children. (2)

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Because the symptoms of an iron deficiency are often shrugged off as something else, it’s important to understand and recognize the signs. Here are seven signs of an iron deficiency that might surprise you.

1. Extreme Fatigue

When the body is having trouble carrying oxygen to the cells, it affects energy levels. When people lack an adequate amount of iron in their blood, they often feel sluggish and weak, and find it hard to concentrate or focus. This type of fatigue isn’t something that sleep will cure. Instead, it comes from a lack of oxygen. (3)

2. Constant Infections

Iron is needed to keep the immune system healthy, so low iron levels can cause a person to become more susceptible to infections. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the lymph nodes, which contain white blood cells that fight infection. When an infection occurs, white blood cells aren’t produced as efficiently in someone who is iron deficient because the cells aren’t getting enough oxygen. (4)

3. Pale Skin

Hemoglobin gives skin its rosy color, so low levels of hemoglobin cause the skin to become lighter. When the body is low in iron, read blood cells become smaller and paler, which often translates to the skin. A good indication of an iron deficiency is if the area inside the bottom eyelid is lighter than normal. (5)

4. Swollen Tongue

When cells aren’t getting enough oxygen, muscles can become enlarged and cause pain. This can occur in any muscle, but it’s often seen in the tongue. Cracks on the side of the mouth are also common in people with an iron deficiency. (6)

5. Pica

Someone suffering from an iron deficiency might develop cravings for non-food substances, such as dirt or chalk. This condition is known as pica. Researchers aren’t exactly sure what the connection is between iron deficiency anemia and picca, but this condition is serious and may end up being life-threatening. (7)

6. Hair Loss

Iron deficiency can cause hair loss when the hair follicles aren’t getting enough oxygen. They go into a resting stage, causing hair to fall out. The hair won’t grow back until the anemia improves. Most people shed a few strands each day, but if hair loss is excessive and it stops growing back, it could be a sign of iron deficiency. (8)