"Cold hands and feet, hair falling out"... It's not winter's fault. Is your body lacking this?

Iron is a vital mineral for maintaining healthy red blood cells. It transports oxygen from the lungs to all tissues of the body and aids muscle metabolism. However, iron deficiency can lead to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, paleness, and dizziness. It's crucial to accurately understand and address the body's warning signs of iron deficiency. Based on health information from the Cleveland Clinic, let's explore the symptoms of iron deficiency in our bodies.

1. Fatigue and lethargy

The most common symptom of iron deficiency is unexplained fatigue. If you feel tired or weak despite getting enough sleep, this may be due to a decrease in hemoglobin caused by iron deficiency, which impairs oxygen delivery. Iron deficiency is also associated with insomnia and restless leg syndrome, which can further worsen sleep quality.

 

2. Always cold hands and feet

 

Iron deficiency can manifest itself as cold fingers and toes. This is because a lack of hemoglobin reduces blood circulation, preventing sufficient oxygen from reaching the extremities. If you feel colder than others, even in relatively warm temperatures, you may be experiencing iron deficiency.

3. Skin appears paler than usual

 

Iron deficiency can lead to reduced blood circulation, which can cause skin to appear paler than usual. This pallor can vary depending on skin tone. In light skin tones, it's more noticeable across the entire face. In darker skin tones, it's more noticeable in the mouth and mucous membranes of the eyes.

 

4. Dizziness and vertigo

 

Iron deficiency can lead to frequent dizziness and vertigo due to reduced oxygen supply to the brain. However, these symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors other than iron deficiency, so it's important to check whether they occur alongside other iron deficiency symptoms.

 

5. Frequent headaches

 

Oxygen deprivation can cause headaches. Iron deficiency can cause blood vessels to swell, increasing pressure and leading to headaches. Studies have shown that people with iron deficiency anemia frequently experience chronic headaches and migraines.

 

6. Weakened hair and nails

 

Iron deficiency can weaken and break hair and nails. In severe cases, it can cause "spoon nails" (coilonikia), where nails bend inward. This can be caused by abnormalities in blood flow and nutrient supply around the nails. Iron deficiency can also affect hair growth, leading to hair loss.

 

7. Unusual eating habits

 

Iron deficiency can cause "ice pica," a craving for foods like ice and rice. In the United States, it's estimated that about 25% of people with iron deficiency experience "ice pica," a craving for ice.

 

How to Identify and Treat Iron Deficiency

 

If you experience symptoms of iron deficiency, consult a healthcare professional and undergo a blood test to determine if you have a deficiency. Key tests include a complete blood count (CBC), a serum iron test, and ferritin levels.

 

To prevent or manage iron deficiency, consume iron-rich foods. Representative iron-rich foods include legumes, dried fruit, eggs, lean meat, salmon, iron-fortified grains, peas, tofu, and dark green vegetables. Iron absorption is particularly enhanced when consumed with foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries.

 

Taking iron supplements can also be an option. However, iron supplements can cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, so it's important to take them after meals or adjust the dosage accordingly. Leaving iron deficiency untreated can lead to serious consequences, including heart problems, pregnancy complications, and growth delays, so it's important to pay close attention to your body's signals.

 

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My hair is fine,

It's a fingernail

I also think that I eat very well.

They say that they also manage nutrition well.

 

I don't take iron supplements

Should I eat it?