Typical symptoms of iron deficiency

Tiredness, hair loss, brittle nails - these can be signs of an iron deficiency! Iron is an essential trace element: it is vital, but the body cannot produce it itself. Iron must be supplied to the body in sufficient quantities through food, otherwise an iron deficiency can develop. If an incipient iron deficiency is not counteracted by iron intake, iron deficiency anaemia can develop.

Iron deficiency is one of the most widespread deficiency diseases worldwide. About 2 billion people, or about a quarter of the world's population, suffer from iron deficiency.  

Iron plays an important role in our body: it is the central building block of the red blood pigment haemoglobin. Haemoglobin absorbs oxygen in the lungs and transports it to the various tissues and organs. All cells need oxygen to provide the energy necessary for cell survival and the fulfilment of their functions. Iron plays the decisive role here: only if there is an iron atom in the centre of haemoglobin can oxygen be bound and transported. Simplified, this means: if the body has too little iron, less oxygen is transported and thus less energy is provided. Many of the signs of iron deficiency result from the reduced provision of energy.

A second large group of symptoms is based on a protective reaction of the body: if the blood supply to the body is disturbed, the important internal organs are primarily supplied, while the outer extremities remain undersupplied. Cold hands and feet, but also hair loss and brittle nails are the result.

Many symptoms can indicate an iron deficiency, but a definite diagnosis can only be made on the basis of a blood analysis. If you have several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about them.

More about the determination of iron levels in the blood

• Cold hands and feet: The blood circulation of the body is disturbed due to the lack of oxygen supply. To protect the internal organs, the blood supply to the external organs is reduced.
• Persistent fatigue, listlessness, shortness of breath: Because the muscles are not supplied with enough oxygen, physical performance is reduced. The body reacts to physical exertion, such as climbing stairs, which is normally not an effort, with shortness of breath.
• Changes in the mouth: Torn corners of the mouth (mouth corner rhagades), recurring open sores (recurrent aphthae), dry mucous membrane of the mouth, painful tongue and difficulty swallowing.
• Hair breakage: the hair becomes brittle and breaks.
• Nails: The nails on fingers and toes become brittle, flaky and cracked, they show transverse grooves, are curved upwards or sunken in the middle and bent upwards at the front.
• Forgetfulness and lack of concentration: The brain reacts to the lack of oxygen with a deterioration of the ability to learn and remember and a lack of concentration.
• Dizziness and headache: a slight lack of oxygen in the brain manifests itself in an unsteady gait, ringing in the ears and dizziness; headaches are also frequent.

If an iron deficiency develops into iron deficiency anaemia, the symptoms of iron deficiency intensify and the following additional symptoms may occur:

• If an iron deficiency develops into iron deficiency anaemia, the symptoms of iron deficiency intensify and the following additional symptoms may occur:
• Pale skin: Iron deficiency manifests itself in a sallow complexion and pale lips. The mucous membranes can also give a clue: an eyelid with only a weak blood supply on the inside shows a pale pink colour instead of red.
• Palpitations: The body tries to ensure the supply of oxygen by increasing the heartbeat; palpitations or heart palpitations are the result. If you already suffer from cardiovascular disorders, the increased strain on the heart can lead to sweating, fainting spells and even heart attacks.
• Pica: The urge to eat certain foods, as well as non-edibles such as soil or coins, is called pica. People with iron deficiency anaemia feel an increased appetite for soil, metal, celery, tomatoes, peanuts and ice cubes.
• Hair loss: The lack of blood flow to the scalp can cause the hair cells to die, resulting in hair loss.
• Restless legs syndrome: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder with an increased, uncontrollable urge to move, especially in the legs. The urge to move often occurs at night and leads to sleep disturbances. In contrast to primary RLS, which often runs in families, secondary RLS can be triggered by iron deficiency.
• Libido disorders and impotence: The lack of oxygen supply can also affect the male sex organs and lead to impotence; the desire for tenderness and sex also decreases.
• Psyche: Iron deficiency disturbs the mental balance and can cause depressive moods and mental instability. Iron is involved in the formation of various hormones that have a positive influence on the psyche.

Women are five times more likely to be affected by iron deficiency than men, this is due to the very fact that many of the triggers can only affect women: Menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding. But men can also suffer from iron deficiency. The symptoms in a man are the same as those in a woman. However, since iron deficiency is more commonly associated with women, the symptoms in a man can easily be misinterpreted and iron deficiency can be overlooked as a cause.

Iron deficiency makes itself felt through numerous symptoms, the more severe the deficiency, the more pronounced the symptoms become. If the iron deficiency progresses to iron deficiency anaemia, further symptoms appear, such as palpitations and hair loss. Men and women generally have the same symptoms, but iron deficiency is often overlooked as a cause in men. If you have several symptoms, your doctor can diagnose iron deficiency by doing a blood test.