Things like a headache, sleepiness and heavy periods may seem like nothing out of the ordinary, but when these things keep recurring, then it becomes a problem. Women are most at risk for having an iron deficiency, which is the most common nutritional deficiency in the U.S. Iron is needed to produce hemoglobin, which is a protein that helps red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout your body. Low iron levels can lead to anemia, which is why it’s important to know the symptoms of having an iron deficiency.
Exhaustion
An iron deficiency causes less oxygen to reach your tissues, so your body is deprived of the energy it needs. Most women blame their exhaustion on their busy lifestyle, but if you’re getting plenty of sleep and are feeling tired, weak, irritable, unable to focus, then it might be time to visit your doctor.
Pale
Some women have fair skin, but when you’re low in iron, your skin is extra pale since hemoglobin is what gives your skin its rosy color. Low levels of iron can literally suck the color out of your skin.
Shortness of Breath
Since your body is not getting enough oxygen because your iron levels are low, you might feel out of breath. If you notice you’re having problems breathing and your heart is pounding or having trouble doing simple things like walking up the stairs, then there is something definitely wrong.
Heavy Periods
A fluctuating period where sometimes it’s light and other times it’s heavy is perfectly normal, but when it’s heavy all the time, to the point where you have to call off work, then you have a problem. When you lose too much blood during your period you’re not able to replace if it keeps recurring and this can cause an iron deficiency. This is caused menorrhagia and a hormonal imbalance or underlying issues like being anemic may cause it.
Having a headache can come from various things. Often when we have a headache, we might think that we’re dehydrated because that’s the most common issue. Yet, when your body is low in iron, it causes the brain’s arteries to swell, which is what causes those pesky headaches that won’t go away.
Weird Cravings
Craving things like crave clay, dirt and ice is a sign that something’s up. Craving ice during the warm weather is perfectly normal, but when you’re tempted to munch on ice or weird things like chalk, clay, dirt and even paper, this can mean you have anemia.
Losing Your Hair
As you age your hair follicles are not as strong as when you’re a teenager, so you might notice your hair starting to fall. When you have an iron deficiency, this can cause hair loss.
Foods High in Iron
The first thing you have to do if you suspect you have an iron deficiency is to visit your doctor. Your doctor will have to assess where your problem comes from and run some tests. More than likely he will recommend a treatment like taking iron pills, but there are some foods that can also help bring your iron levels back to normal, such as good sources of protein, like red meat, pork, poultry, seafood, beans, and dark green leafy vegetables. You can also eat food containing vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption. It’s important to not self-medicate and get a professional diagnosis.