Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency

Are you always tired? Do you feel weak and lethargic? Is your skin paler than normal? Do you have shortness of breath?

These are potential signs of being low in iron.  Other signs and symptoms include:

• Headaches

• Difficulty concentrating and poor memory

• Brittle nails and cracked lips

• Pale tongue and pale lower eyelids

• Frequent illnesses

• Hyperactivity

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Dizziness

• Insomnia

• Painful, heavy periods

• Cravings for non-food items, e.g. ice

• Loss of appetite

• Sore tongue and mouth

It is important not to self-diagnose iron deficiency and to always seek professional guidance before supplementing.

If you suspect that you or your child might be low in iron, see your GP, nutritionist or naturopath to be referred for a blood test. When it comes to iron levels, serum ferritin is the most accurate test to determine total body iron stores. The reference range for ferritin is 30 - 300 mcg/L, however some health practitioners prefer patients’ iron levels to be above 50 mcg/l.

References

Queensland Government, 2019, ‘Why am I tired - am I iron deficient?’, Queensland Health, viewed 14 March 2023, https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/why-am-i-tired-am-i-iron-deficient-anaemia#:~:text=Iron%20deficiency%20is%20very%20common,eating%20enough%20iron%2Drich%20foods

Rose S, 2003, Vitamins and Minerals, Hamlyn, UK.

Weatherby D & Ferguson S, 2002, Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis, Bear Mountain Publishing, USA.