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5 signs youre iron deficient include spoon nails and restless legs, doctor warns
Global health baselines have shot up over the last 100 years, but that doesnt mean were where we need to be.
The WHO estimates that nearly a third of all women worldwide are affected by anemia, while 40% of children up to the age of 5 are too. There are hacks designed to boost iron levels. There are also dietary changes you can make. Here are some of the signs to look out for, from to a British GP.
What to look out for when self-evaluating for iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency affects 1 in 3 Americans, or thereabouts. In other words, its more common than you think. But not everyone knows what to look for when judging whether or not theyre deficient in one of our bodys most needed minerals.
Fortunately, Dr Amir Khan, a general practitioner (GP) from the UK, has some pointers.
- Tiredness. Iron helps make hemoglobin �the red pigment in your blood cells �which carries oxygen to your organs. If you dont have enough iron, you wont be able to carry as much oxygen around your body, depriving it of vital energy, making you tired.
- Shortness of breath and chest pain. When hemoglobin levels are low, oxygen levels are also low. This means your muscles dont get enough oxygen, and as a result, your breathing rate will increase as your body tries to get more oxygen in, resulting in shortness of breath. Your heart follows suit, working super hard. An unhappy, hardworking heart will tell you its unhappy by giving you chest pain.
- Cracks in the corners of your mouth. This is called angularchilitis, and it comes with iron deficiency because of the role iron plays in keeping your skin healthy and healing wounds.
- Brittle or spoon-shaped nails. Koilonychia is when your nails have an indented shape, like a spoon. Onychoschizia is the scientific name for brittle nails. Both can indicate an iron deficiency.
- Restless legs. Iron deficiency can cause blood dopamine levels to drop, leading to restless leg syndrome. This is characterized by a strong urge to move your legs while resting. It can also cause unpleasant crawling or itching sensations in your feet and legs. Its usually worse at night and can make it difficult to sleep.
Watch his video below.
What causes iron deficiency, and how can you boost your iron levels?
Causes include not getting enough iron in your diet, losing iron through unusually heavy periods or regular bleeding, gut illnesses like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and in some cases, iron deficiency anemia can be a sign of underlying cancer, says Dr Khan.
He recommends liver, red meat, shellfish, legumes, and pumpkin seeds for their high iron content. He also adds that if youre worried about iron deficiency anemia, you should prioritize speaking to a healthcare professional.
You could also take iron supplements. You might have heard them called iron salts, or iron pills.
They are typically recommended only for those who are actively iron deficient, rather than as a preventative. However, they are sometimes recommended for people with poor absorption or heavy menstrual periods, pregnant people, and people undergoing hemodialysis.
Adding to Dr Khans list above, one naturopathic doctor says dark circles forming under your eyes could also be an indicator of iron deficiency anemia.�
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