Iron Deficiency Anemia
About Iron Deficiency
Ferritin contains iron the body needs to make red blood cells. When ferritin is low, you are iron deficient. Without adequate iron, the body cannot make enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and to the major organs. Low hemoglobin is anemia, not iron deficiency, although low hemoglobin (anemia) can be caused by iron deficiency which is the #1 nutritional deficiency in the world. Iron deficiency can be a debilitating disorder that may result in multiple symptoms including:
The 25 "Red Flags" of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
- Low ferritin
- Extreme fatigue
- Weakness
- Lack of energy
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heart palpitations/flutters
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath - after simple tasks such as climbing stairs, walking short distances, rushing around
- Cold hands and/or feet - low body temperature, unable to get and stay warm
- Pica (an intense craving to chew ice or non-food items)
- Hair loss
- Restless Legs Syndrome /RLS - legs tingling, twitching, moving uncontrollably, especially when you go to bed
- Pale skin and/or pale areas inside of the eyelids, mouth and cheeks - oxygen-rich blood is scarce and is being diverted away from skin to major organs)
- Blue sclera - white part of eyes can take on a bluish tint, similar to the look of skim milk
- Sore or pale tongue
- Nail abnormalities - brittle, spooned, ridged, streaked
- Whooshing or pounding sound or ringing in ears - can hear your heartbeat in your ears
- Irritability
- Foggy thinking, poor memory
- Depression
- Loss of interest in things you normally care about
How is Iron Deficiency Diagnosed?
A hemoglobin (finger stick) test is not enough to diagnose low iron. Obtain an Ironology Iron Panel to get the full picture and all of the tests required for your health care practitioner to make a proper diagnosis.
