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You may feel tired most of the time without being able to identify a specific reason for it. You may also experience shortness of breath with just a little walking or climbing some stairs that you used to climb previously without this exhaustion. In addition, your heart may start to race while you are sitting comfortably and doing nothing.

All of these signs are symptoms of iron deficiency, which severely affect your life and daily effort. However, iron deficiency can be easily compensated for by taking the appropriate dietary supplements, which we will review in this article, but only after learning about the symptoms of iron deficiency in the body in some detail.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency in the Body

The most prominent symptoms of iron deficiency in the body include:

1. Fatigue Most of the Time

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency. This occurs because the body lacks the iron it needs to produce hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

Without sufficient hemoglobin, less oxygen reaches your tissues and muscles, depriving them of the energy they need.

Your heart also has to work harder to move more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, which increases the feeling of fatigue.

However, it is difficult to diagnose iron deficiency based on fatigue alone, as fatigue has many other possible causes. It is more likely to be a symptom of iron deficiency when it coincides with the other symptoms discussed below.

2. Paler-than-Usual Skin

Have you noticed that your face, or the face of a friend or relative, has become paler than it used to be, as if it has lost some of its color? This skin pallor—whether on the face or on the inner part of the lower eyelids—is a sign of iron deficiency.

Hemoglobin in red blood cells gives blood its red color. Therefore, a decrease in hemoglobin due to iron deficiency leads to reduced redness of the blood, causing the skin to lose some of its color in people with iron deficiency.

A review of several studies published in 2023 in the Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion noted that pallor in the creases of the palms or inside the eyelids is a reliable sign of anemia.

3. Shortness of Breath

Due to iron deficiency, your body’s cells do not receive enough oxygen. As a result, muscles do not get the oxygen they need to perform daily activities such as walking.

Consequently, your breathing rate increases as the body attempts to obtain more oxygen, leading to shortness of breath.

So, if you find yourself gasping while performing a daily task that you once found easy—such as walking, climbing stairs, or exercising—this may be due to iron deficiency.

4. Headache

Some studies have linked migraine attacks with iron-deficiency anemia in females, while other studies have linked iron-deficiency anemia with chronic daily headaches that worsen with severe iron deficiency.

However, recurrent headaches can result from many causes other than iron deficiency, so this should be taken into consideration before blaming iron deficiency alone.

5. Heart Palpitations

You may feel your heartbeats more than usual, or feel strong palpitations, which may be due to iron deficiency. Low oxygen levels in the blood can lead to heart palpitations, possibly rapid heartbeat or chest pain.

However, it should also be noted that heart palpitations have other causes, such as anxiety, caffeine intake, or dehydration.

6. Dry and Damaged Skin and Hair

Dryness or damage to the skin and hair can occur with iron-deficiency anemia, as the hair and skin are deprived of the nutrients and blood flow they need for growth.

Some research has also linked iron deficiency to hair loss. While it is normal for hair to shed during washing and daily grooming, excessive hair loss may be one of your symptoms of iron deficiency.

7. Swelling and Pain of the Tongue and Mouth

Changes indicating iron deficiency may occur inside or even outside the mouth, such as:

• Swelling, inflammation, or pallor of the mucous membrane
• Burning sensation of the tongue or mouth
• Dry mouth
• Painful red cracks at the corners of the mouth
• Mouth ulcers

8. Brittle Nails or Spoon-Shaped Nails

Spoon-shaped nails are a symptom of anemia, as are brittle nails that crack easily. In advanced stages of iron deficiency, the nails may take on a spoon shape, meaning the center of the nail dips while the edges rise, giving a rounded, spoon-like appearance.

9. Cold Hands and Feet

Iron deficiency means a reduced amount of oxygen reaching the hands and feet, which manifests as some people feeling cold more easily or experiencing persistent coldness in the extremities.

Another explanation is that iron is necessary for thyroid gland function, which helps regulate body temperature. Iron deficiency reduces the efficiency of the thyroid gland.

10. Depression and Irritability

You may become more sensitive to annoyances, which can sometimes be a sign of iron deficiency. Some studies have found that adolescents with iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia have higher levels of irritability compared to their healthy peers.

Iron is also essential for the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Therefore, iron deficiency may affect the levels of these neurotransmitters and mood, potentially leading to depression or anxiety, according to a 2023 review in the journal Antioxidants.

Causes of Iron Deficiency

Iron levels in the body may decrease due to:

• Blood loss, whether due to menstruation in women or gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
• Poor absorption, where the stomach is unable to absorb iron (more common in those who have undergone weight-loss surgery or people with gluten sensitivity)
• Not consuming enough iron in the diet

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency in the Body

Symptoms of iron deficiency alone are not sufficient for diagnosis. Diagnosis is confirmed through appropriate tests such as measuring iron levels, checking ferritin levels, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), in addition to other tests that the doctor may perform depending on the patient’s condition and the cause of iron deficiency.

Treatment of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency can be treated through:

1. Iron-Rich Foods

Iron-rich foods should be included in your diet if you have iron deficiency or suspect you may have it, such as:

• Beans
• Dried fruits
• Eggs
• Lean red meat
• Salmon
• Peas
• Tofu
• Dark leafy greens

It is preferable to consume these foods alongside foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwi, and strawberries, because vitamin C helps improve iron absorption.

2. Taking Iron Supplements

Taking iron supplements under medical supervision can also help maintain iron levels within the normal range. The doctor will help determine the appropriate dose based on your current iron levels and existing health conditions.

In general, restoring iron levels to normal may take 3 to 6 months with consistent use of dietary supplements.

Iron Deficiency Medications

At Al-Jawaher Distinguished Pharmacies, we offer some iron-rich dietary supplements to help address iron deficiency:

1. Limi Ferrin Chewable Tablets for Iron Support – 30 Tablets

Limi Ferrin 30 Chewable Tabs blood health contain liposomal iron, which has superior absorption, in addition to lactoferrin and vitamin B12, making it an effective option for treating anemia.

2. Hemadid Tablets 200 mg Ferrous Sulfate

Hemadid Tablets 200 Mg Ferrous Sulfate are one of the dietary supplements that help successfully treat iron deficiency.

3. Ferotin Iron Booster – 30 Capsules

Ferrotin Iron Boost 30 Caps is a dietary supplement that contains 100 mg of lactoferrin in addition to 30 mg of elemental iron.

4. Ferplex Iron Oral Solution – 20 Vials

Ferplex 40Mg Iron Oral Solution is taken by mouth and compensates for iron deficiency in the body, as well as treating iron-deficiency anemia.

5. Feroglobin Syrup 200 ml

Feroglobin syrup 200 ml not only compensates for iron deficiency but also addresses deficiencies in other nutrients, as it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, zinc, and copper.