What is iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency occurs when your body’s demand for the essential mineral outstrips supply. People at particular risk include women, inflammatory bowel disease sufferers and those with chronic heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
Signs that you are iron deficient can include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
Take our easy, 3-step quiz to check the symptoms and find out whether you may have iron deficiency. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor so they can identify the cause and recommend a suiting treatment. A test result with low iron may lead to a recommendation of iron therapy.
Why is iron so important for your health?
Iron is an essential nutrient for your body, which you get from your food. It is needed for your mental and physical health and to keep your energy levels up1,2,3.
Iron is present in a substance called hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the rest of the body4. Oxygen is required in your brain for concentration and in your muscles for physical energy5. Iron is also needed to maintain a healthy immune system, helping you to fight off infections6.
Are you getting enough iron?
Having the right amount of iron in your body is key for optimum health. Usually, iron from food is absorbed into your bloodstream via the small intestine7, topping up the body’s iron ‘bank’. If the supply and demand aren’t in balance, iron deficiency can develop.
There are two types of iron: ‘haem iron’, ‘which comes from animal products and ‘non-haem iron’, which comes from plant foods. ‘Non-haem iron’ is not as easily absorbed, so vegetarians and vegans can be particularly susceptible to lower levels of iron. Wise diet choices, with iron-rich foods such as red meat and spinach, can help boost iron levels. 7,8
Conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease can inflame the small intestine lining, reducing the flow of iron into the bloodstream9,10,11
Such as from heavy periods8 serious injuries/accidents and surgery13,14,15,16 and regular blood donation12.
During menstruation and pregnancy8 and growth and developmental spurts7.
Why do you feel more tired?
The stresses of daily living combined with your lifestyle can cause periods of tiredness. Typical energy drainers can include a lack of sleep and exercise, over exertion, too much caffeine or alcohol, and illnesses such as colds or flu.
But if you are feeling ‘washed out’ – physically and mentally exhausted for several days at a time – it could be fatigue. Use our Symptom Checker to rate your tiredness level. While it’s a common problem, underlying conditions can make it a complex symptom.
Signs of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia
Symptoms of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia can appear vague and non-specific but may intensify as the condition progresses17.
Symptoms you can feel
- Cold intolerance
- Restless leg syndrome
- Craving unusual foodstuffs, including chewing ice
- Fatigue/mental fatigue
Symptoms you can see
- Mouth ulcers and cracks
- Bruising easily
- Paleness
- Brittle/spoon-shaped nails
- Hair loss
Symptoms that slow you down
- Loss of energy/irritability
- Hearing loss
- More headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Memory loss
- Decrease in libido
Don’t ignore or confuse the warning signs of iron deficiency. Take our quick and easy test to pinpoint any symptoms of iron deficiency.
Talk to a doctor
Are you experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency. Are you worried you may have low iron levels? Get guidance on what to ask your doctor for a checkup or treatment.
- Verdon F, Burnand B, Stubi C-LF, et al. Iron supplementation for unexplained fatigue in non-anaemic women: double blind randomised placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2003;326:1124.
- Brownlie T, Utermohlen V, Hinton PS, Haas JD. Tissue iron deficiency without anemia impairs adaptation in endurance capacity after aerobic training in previously untrained women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(3):437-43.
- Haas JD, Brownlie IV T. Iron Deficiency and Reduced Work Capacity : A Critical Review of the Research to Determine a Causal Relationship. J Nutr. 2001;131(2):676S-690S.
- Dean L. 1. Blood and the cells it contains. Blood Groups Red Cell Antigens. 2005:1-6.
- Lozoff B, Beard J, Connor J, Felt B, Georgieff M. Long-lasting Neural and Behavioral effects of iron deficiency in infancy. Nutr Rev. 2006;64:S34-S91.
- Dhur A, Galan P, Hercberg S. Iron status, immune capacity and resistance to infections. Comp Biochem Physiol. 1989;94A(1):11-19.
- Hurrell R, Egli I. Iron bioavailability and dietary reference values. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1461-1467. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.28674F.Am.
- Killip S, Bennett JM, Chambers MD. Iron deficiency anemia. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(5):671-8.
- Stein J, Hartmann F, Dignass AU. Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia in patients with IBD. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010;7(11):599-610. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2010.151.
- Miller JL. Iron deficiency anemia: a common and curable disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2013;3(7):1-13. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a011866.
- Presutti RJ, Cangemi JR, Cassidy HD, Hill D a. Celiac disease. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76(12):1795-802.
- Finch CA, Cook JD, Labbe RF, Culala M. Effect of blood donation on iron stores as evaluated by serum ferritin. Blood. 1977;50(3):441-7.
- Auerbach M, Adamson J. How we diagnose and treat iron deficiency anemia Am J Hematol. 2016 Jan;91(1):31 -8 Koduru P, Abraham BP. The role of ferric carboxymaltose in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients with gastrointestinal disease. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016 Jan;9(1):76-85
- Topley E, Clarke R. The anemia of trauma. Blood. 1956;11(4):357-69.
- Love AL, Billett HH. Obesity, bariatric surgery, and iron deficiency: true, true, true and related. Am J Hematol. 2008;83(5):403-9. doi:10.1002/ajh.21106.
- Foss NB, Kehlet H. Hidden blood loss after surgery for hip fracture. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006;88(8):1053-9. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.88B8.17534.
- Dittner AJ, Wessely SC, Brown RG. The assessment of fatigue: a practical guide for clinicians and researchers. J Psychosom Res. 2004;56(2):157-70.