13 signs of iron deficiency you might be ignoring

Thankfully iron deficiency is relatively uncommon, but certain people are at higher risk. Infants, teens and the elderly can all have specific growth or health issues that can lead to falling short; women who have heavy periods or are pregnant can also need more of the mineral; vegans and vegetarians may come up short if they’re not careful with their diet. Here are the signs to keep an eye out for.

Don’t miss these common causes of iron deficiency.

Fatigue is probably the symptom most commonly associated with iron deficiency. The reason for the exhaustion? A lack of oxygen flowing through your body. “When you have anaemia, you have fewer blood cells to carry oxygen to vital organs of the body,” says Dr Ian Tong. “This oxygen deficit is global and can cause vague symptoms like fatigue, headache, and weakness.”

When you have iron deficiency, it’s hard for your body to get the oxygen it needs when it’s active. That’s why one of the more common signs of iron-deficiency (and its more serious form, anaemia) is the decreased ability to exercise, explains professor Dr Marc J. Kahn.  So if you now find yourself short of breath during a brisk walk that was a piece of cake a few months ago, see your health provider.

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A disorder called restless leg syndrome creates a ‘pins and needles’ feeling and prompts an unconscious urge to move your feet. This can disturb your sleep. It’s one of the more unusual symptoms of iron deficiency, according to Dr Tong.

The old saying “cold hands, warm heart,” is true – your body is shunting the fewer red blood cells into the places that count, like your heart, brain and liver, says Dr Katz. So cold extremities (and skin in general) is a sign you may be iron-deficient.

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Feeling dizzy or light-headed? Iron deficiency anaemia could be to blame. “Dizziness or chest pain can also result because your body is trying to tell you to lie down and let more oxygen get to the heart or brain,” Dr Tong says.

Because a loss of iron affects your red blood cell count, a shortage could cause your heart to work harder to deliver oxygen throughout the body – and cause you to develop heart murmurs or an enlarged heart. For those who already have cardiovascular disease, low iron levels could prove deadly. “People with diseases of the heart or blood vessels – also called cardiovascular disease – could suffer a heart attack or stroke if they develop iron deficiency,” Dr Tong says.

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The desire to eat weird things, known as pica, isn’t an uncommon sign of anaemia. Unusual things people may suddenly crave if they’re not getting enough iron: clay, ice and dirt. “As a haematologist, I would say they’re iron deficient until proven otherwise,” says Dr Katz.

If you’re getting more irritated at things that used to roll off your back you may be in need of an iron supplement. “Irritability is more common with iron deficiency,” explains Dr Katz, adding that it’s not really that well understood why this might be so. “Probably because iron is used in several pathways in the body – most notably, it’s used in haemoglobin, which red cells need to deliver oxygen. So irritability might have to do with decreased oxygen delivery,” he says.

Your tongue and mouth can be a good indicator of what’s going on in your body (which is why dentists want you to check in every six months!). Ulcers in your mouth and cracks at the side of your mouth are fairly common signs of iron deficiency, says Dr Katz: “It probably has to do with decreased blood flow to the mucosa of the mouth.”

Don’t miss these silent signs your body might be in big trouble.