The Egyptian Society for Blood Transfusion Services
When the body does not have enough iron, red blood cell levels will drop, as iron is needed to make hemoglobin, an important protein that carries oxygen throughout the body.
And if the body does not contain enough hemoglobin, the tissues and muscles will not get enough oxygen, and they will not be able to carry out their functions normally, and this leads to anemia, so what are the most important early signs of iron deficiency in the body?
● Early signs of iron deficiency in the body. Early detection of the problem helps in treating it before any harmful effects occur on the body. Iron deficiency can be detected through a group of signs.
Learn about the most prominent and important early signs of iron deficiency in the body as follows:
1. Feeling tired for no reason.
It is one of the most common early signs of iron deficiency in the body, because the body needs iron to make hemoglobin. of blood
Rich in oxygen to the body, which increases the feeling of fatigue.
2. Heart palpitations.
It is a symptom of iron deficiency anemia, as iron deficiency means low levels of hemoglobin, and thus the heart makes an extra effort to carry oxygen, which affects the heart rate, and in advanced cases, it can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
3. Paleness of the skin.
Pale skin is one of the most prominent early signs of iron deficiency in the body, as iron helps blood flow with its strong red color, and thus the skin becomes glowing.
pale.
4. Shortness of breath.
When hemoglobin decreases in the body as a result of iron deficiency, oxygen levels will decrease, and this means that the muscles will not get enough oxygen to carry out normal activities, such as: walking, and with any slight effort, the feeling of fatigue will increase and the breathing rate will increase because the body is trying to obtain It requires more oxygen, and shortness of breath increases with the increase in exertion.
5. Headache and dizziness.
The lack of enough oxygen to the brain as a result of iron deficiency can lead to enlarged blood vessels in the brain, which causes pressure and headaches. Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you continue to feel headaches, dizziness, and inability to concentrate.
6. Dryness and damage to the skin and hair.
Dry skin and hair damage is one of several early signs of iron deficiency in the body, as the low amount of oxygen directs to more important functions in the body, neglecting the hair and skin, and with the hair and skin being deprived of oxygen, dry skin will occur and the hair becomes damaged and brittle, and it can fall out over time the time.
7. Swelling and soreness of the tongue and mouth.
It is possible to look at the area around the mouth and tongue to check the levels of iron in the body, as swelling and soreness of the tongue and inflammation of the area around the mouth are indicators of low hemoglobin in the blood, and iron deficiency can also cause dry mouth and inflammation of the corners around the mouth, as well as the appearance of ulcers around the mouth.
8. Restless leg syndrome
It is a syndrome that leads to a strong urge to move the legs to feel comfortable, which increases at night, and thus affects sleep. Restless leg syndrome is associated with iron deficiency anemia, and the lower the iron levels, the more symptoms will increase.
9. Changing the shape of the nails.
Iron deficiency in the body can affect the strength and health of the nails, as they become brittle and begin to grow outward in the shape of a spoon, and thus become more prone to breakage, but this sign cannot be noticed early in the infection, as it is considered an advanced sign.
10. Cold extremities.
As a result of the lack of blood flow that carries oxygen to various parts of the body in good quantities, coldness can be felt in the extremities, whether the hands or feet, and this explains the feeling of constant coldness in some people, and in this case you should consult a doctor to find out the cause of the problem and its treatment.
11. Recurrence of diseases.
Iron deficiency in the blood affects the health of the immune system, as it cannot perform its functions normally in fighting infection, and thus the chances of bacterial and viral infections that the immune system cannot fight and eliminate increase.
● The causes of iron deficiency in the body, after identifying several early signs of iron deficiency in the body, there are some reasons that lead to iron deficiency in the body, including:
• Malnutrition: lack of interest in eating foods rich in iron.• Inflammatory bowel disease: which affects the absorption of iron in the body.
• Blood loss: as a result of internal bleeding or heavy menstruation.