15 Warning Signs You May Have An Iron Deficiency?

Iron-deficiency

Iron is an important dietary mineral, involved in various vital bodily functions such as the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Iron deficiency is the condition that results from having low levels of iron in the body. It is one of the most widespread nutrition deficiencies. Herein are warning signs to look for that may indicate iron deficiency.

Fatigue 

Fatigue is the condition where a person constantly feels tired. It is the most common symptom of iron deficiency and it can be easily overlooked.

Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen in the red blood cells.

Lack of iron means the body has to work harder to get the energy it needs leaving you feeling exhausted and weak.

Lapses In Concentration

At rest 20% of the oxygen you breathe goes to the brain. About 15% of the blood flow from the entire body goes to the brain.

Iron deficiency reduces the effectiveness of the red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Due to this, the brain ends up being deprived of vital oxygen and thus cannot function optimally, which results in difficulty concentrating.

Although regular concentration lapses may indicate a deficiency of iron, it is also a common occurrence with other conditions.

Irritability

Iron facilitates the production of certain hormones in the body. Some of these hormones such as dopamine are responsible for the reduction of anxiety, depression and stress levels in the body. As such, easy irritability can be a sign of hormonal imbalances caused by the lack of iron in your body.

First measurements of new iron deficiency marker

Using a new marker of iron status, the report indicates higher rates of iron deficiency in Mexican-American children aged 1 to 5 years (11 percent) and in non-Hispanic black (16 percent) and Mexican-American women (13 percent) of childbearing age (12 to 49 years) when compared to other race/ethnic groups. source: cdc.gov

Frequent Tingling Sensations

These sensations commonly referred to as “pins and needles”, are caused by poor blood circulation. Iron deficiency hinders the proper function of red blood cells resulting in these sensations. They are common in body extremities such as hands and feet. This shows that enough oxygen is not reaching the further body parts.