5 Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes & Cure
Unusual Odd and Weird Iron-Deficiency Anaemia in pregnancy babies’ toddlers without anemia deficiency symptoms of iron
5 Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency: Symptoms, Treatments and Causes
Unusual Odd and Weird Iron-Deficiency Anaemia in pregnancy babies’ toddlers without anemia deficiency symptoms of iron
Surprisingly, iron deficiency anemia is not rare. A worrisome surge in iron inadequacies is being caused by American women and men ingesting approximately 10% and 7% less iron from diet, respectively, according to a 2021 study published in The Journal of Nutrition.
According to the study’s authors, this trend may be the result of people trying to consume more leaner, lower-iron proteins—like chicken—and less red meat. They also note out that because of contemporary farming practices that have reduced the amounts of iron in the soil, many traditionally iron-rich foods, like beef, beans, and apricots, have less iron.
According to 2018 research of the American diet published in Nutrients, people who avoid or limit fortified grains, such as bread, breakfast cereal, and pasta, also miss out on iron because these foods are a substantial source.
Individuals with the highest iron requirements are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency anemia (IDA), according to clinical nutritionist Laurie Tansman, M.S., RD, CDN, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Premenopausal women require more than twice as much iron as men do because of blood loss after menstruation, according to the National Institutes of Health.
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Additionally, the needs of the growing fetus need pregnant women to consume nearly 50% more iron than usual. Since non-heme iron, which is largely present in plants, is less easily absorbed than iron contained in meat, vegans and vegetarians are also more likely to develop iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
5 Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency
The challenge with iron deficiency is that it might be difficult to diagnose. When your iron levels start to decline and stay low, the symptoms may appear gradually. This is particularly true when you go from mildly to slightly to severely iron deficient anemia.
Professor of medicine, pathology, and pediatrics at Oregon Health and Science University Thomas DeLoughery, M.D., M.A.C.P., FAWM, states, “I have seen people have iron deficiency anemia for years before it starts to inhibit their day-to-day life.”
What is the function of iron?
According to Jacey Folkers, DC, B.Sc.Ed, of Joi Women’s Wellness, “iron is one of the most important nutrients in our diets since it helps different proteins deliver oxygen throughout our body.” Hemoglobin and myoglobin, in particular, are those proteins that are carried by red blood cells to the lungs and muscles to deliver oxygen.
The most prevalent kind of anemia in the world, iron deficiency anemia, can happen when our red blood cells don’t have enough oxygen. Anant Vinjamoori, M.D, Chief Medical Officer of Modern Age, states, “This deficiency can impact health and factors related to aging such as muscle strength, energy levels, and cognitive abilities.” “Keeping your iron levels in balance is crucial.”
5 Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency: Who is susceptible to iron insufficiency?
As previously indicated, iron deficiency is more common in menstruating women, but it can also affect men, the elderly, and children. According to Christy Evans, M.D., a Board Certified ObGyn at Almond ObGyn., “the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia are either increased blood loss—commonly seen in women post-childbirth, women who are menstruating, someone undergoing surgery, or someone experiencing bleeding in the GI tract.”
Furthermore, she states that decreased iron absorption—which is frequently linked to gastrointestinal conditions such celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and H-pylori infection—can cause iron insufficiency. Alternatively, it may be brought on by long-term illnesses including obesity and heart disease that produce persistent inflammation.
Additionally, it can be caused by commonplace things you might not think about, including taking aspirin or ibuprofen on a regular basis or just consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and coffee, both of which can hinder the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients.
What are the Symptoms of iron deficiency?
This is the point of complexity. There is no doubt that iron deficiency can cause symptoms, but many of them are so common that they could just as easily be caused by other conditions, such as low water intake, vitamin B12 deficiency, or hormonal fluctuations.
“Signs of iron deficiency, although not exclusive to this condition, include persistent fatigue and weakness, reduced energy levels, headaches, dizziness, and cognitive changes,” says Vinjamoori. Other symptoms, such as pale skin, cold hands, and feet, were easily related to weather, lifestyle, or climate. Even worse, especially in the beginning, a lot of these symptoms aren’t even noticeable. According to Evans, “some women with mild iron deficiency will have no symptoms at all.”
However, there are a few warning indicators to be aware of. “The signs and symptoms intensify as the body becomes more iron deficient and anemia worsens,” according to Folkers. “When our iron levels are extremely low, our bodies can do some pretty strange things.” He lists five uncommon symptoms of iron shortage to be aware of in addition to the typical ones.
5 Weird Signs of Iron Deficiency
An inflamed tongue
This one is severe since it can make swallowing and chewing difficult, which can make it more difficult to get adequate nutrients in your diet. Thus, be aware of any discomfort or swelling of the tongue, as well as any changes in the flavor of food. Remember to examine your entire mouth as well. Iron deficiency can result in pale gums as well as pale skin because of oxygen deprivation.
You’re constantly exhausted: extreme tiredness and weariness
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, fatigue is one of the most prevalent signs of iron insufficiency and can arise from even a slight decrease in iron storage. Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why you could feel weary, so it’s hard to isolate low iron as the cause. A review from 2021 that was published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International states that depression, high levels of stress, and sleep-related respiratory problems are the most common causes of chronic exhaustion.
However, it’s worth getting your iron levels examined if your level of weariness has changed recently or if it’s accompanied by any of these other symptoms.
Even when others aren’t, you’re cold.
You can have low iron if you notice that your hands and feet are always cold. A 2022 Cureus study suggests that iron is required for thyroid function, which could be one explanation. Iron deficiency impairs thyroid function, and thyroid hormones assist in controlling body temperature.
You have trouble breathing freely.
If you maintain a regular exercise schedule but find it difficult to breathe, you may be low in iron. According to the National Institutes of Health, iron helps your body move oxygen around, and when you don’t have enough of it, your body finds it more difficult to keep up with your aerobic exercise.
You’ve been more agitated or nervous.
One sign of iron deficiency that you may see described is being more “sensitive” to irritations. A 2020 study on adolescents with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology indicated that they experienced higher levels of irritability than their counterparts who were in good condition, although more research is required.
Frequent infections
Reduced amounts of iron can increase a person’s susceptibility to infections because the mineral is essential for a functioning immune system. One location where infections can be fought off is the spleen, which red blood cells assist in supplying with oxygen. White blood cells that fight infections are housed in lymph nodes, which are also supplied with oxygen by red blood cells.
A person with low iron levels produces fewer and weaker white blood cells due to insufficient oxygenation, which increases the individual’s susceptibility to infections.
Others Include:
Pale complexion
Skin becomes lighter when hemoglobin levels are low because hemoglobin gives skin its pink tint. Skin becomes paler as a result of smaller, paler red blood cells in the center caused by low iron levels. Any skin tone can be affected by this, but if the area within your lower eyelid is lighter than usual, it could indicate an iron shortage. Those with lighter complexions may find this more easily.
Brittle nails
According to Dr. Folkers, “despite their apparent disconnection from the rest of our body, our nails can actually say a lot about our health.” Thus, brittle and thin nails might undoubtedly indicate a nutritional deficit. Iron deficiency can also be indicated by a disorder called koilonychia, which makes the nails grow concave like spoons.
Dry, cracked lips and mouth
Be cautious if applying lip balm or drinking water doesn’t seem to help your chapped lips. “angular cheilitis, which affects the corners of your mouth, is a specific type of cracking that people with iron deficiencies may experience,” says Dr. Folkers. “To prevent the cracking from recurring, you must treat the underlying iron deficiency in addition to treating angular cheilitis with cream or ointment on its own.”
Strange Hungries; Odd cravings
It’s time to request bloodwork if you develop an intense craving for materials that you should never, ever eat, such as dirt, clay, paint chips, charcoal, ashes, hair, cloth, cardboard, or cleaning supplies. The disorder known as Pica, which is characterized by cravings for non-food substances, is indicative of anemia but can also be triggered by stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Not only can desires for things that are absolutely inedible occur, but anemia-induced Pica can also manifest as the desire to chew ice or even cornstarch.
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Loss of hair
Is Tresses’s normal shine and/or thickness gone? This may indicate an iron shortage, particularly if it progresses to anemia, which has been linked to detrimental effects on hair health in certain studies. Fortunately, this can be undone. “Hair follicles that receive insufficient oxygen enter a resting stage, which results in hair loss that doesn’t stop until anemia is treated,” explains Folkers.
Depression
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that travels from your body to your brain and is made possible in part by iron. Dopamine levels are low in depression. While the study wasn’t intended to demonstrate that IDA causes depression or that depression causes IDA, it did find that older persons with depressive symptoms had a higher likelihood of having IDA than those without depression. The study was published in the Journal of Research in Health Science in 2018.
What to Do If You Have Iron Deficiency Anemia: How to fix iron deficiency
The good news is that if you suspect you may be iron deficient, your doctor can easily confirm it with a quick blood test. If the test results show that you do have low iron, it’s critical to engage with a healthcare provider to determine the cause of your iron deficiency and develop a treatment plan that addresses it while taking into account any additional illnesses you may have. Furthermore, there are numerous dietary options that might support anemia management. Here are some suggestions for people who want to increase their intake of iron.
Fill a bowl with cereal.
“I routinely recommend fortified breakfast cereals for patients who have IDA,” Tansman states. Check the label to find out how much iron is in your choice. “And if you’re eating it with milk, drink the milk at the end,” she continues. The extra vitamins and minerals can wash off into the liquid after being sprayed on top of the cereal.
Plants Should Be Wisely Paired
Iron-rich plant meals that are high in vitamin C facilitate the mineral’s absorption, which is especially beneficial for vegetarians and vegans. Thus, add bell peppers to a heated lentil salad or sprinkle vitamin C-rich tomatoes or strawberries over a spinach salad.
Consider a Supplement
Get your doctor’s approval before taking an iron supplement if your diet isn’t sufficient to raise your levels. “People often try to self-treat when they suspect they have anemia and end up doing more harm than good,” Tansman says. “Anemia can be caused by other deficiencies, and taking iron may mask the identification of the correct cause.” It’s important to work with your doctor to counteract the constipation adverse effect of iron supplements.
FAQs on 5 Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency
What is the quickest method for treating low iron?
Iron supplements, sometimes known as oral iron or iron tablets, aid in raising the amount of iron in your body. The most popular course of treatment for iron-deficiency anemia is this one
What is the remedy for iron deficiency?
It takes time to treat an iron shortage. To restore your iron levels, you might need to take iron supplements for up to several months. After receiving treatment for about a week, you should start to feel better. Find out from your doctor when your blood should be drawn again to assess your iron levels.
What should I consume to increase or boost my iron?
Drinking iron-rich beverages, such as prune juice, spinach-cashew-raspberry smoothie, pumpkin juice, mulberry smoothie, and Aviva Romm’s iron tonic, will help you fast raise your iron levels. Consuming broccoli, salmon, meat, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, and fresh citrus fruits can also help increase your iron levels.
How can I raise my iron level fast?
Taking iron orally or receiving iron intravenously along with vitamin C is often the quickest way to increase your iron levels if you have iron-deficiency anemia.
