![]() If you fall into a high-risk group and suspect you’re not getting enough, ask your doctor to perform a blood test. If you’ve noticed you’re more tired than usual, are struggling to catch your breath when you walk up stairs or exercise, get dizzy, or often feel weak, your iron levels could be low. If you’ve checked off several of the symptoms above, it may be time to see your doctor-just keep in mind that these are just the bizarre signs associated with iron deficiency. You’re constantly craving iceĬraving ice is a specific form of pica called pagophagia, according to a series of case reports published in the the journal Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and it’s one of the most common symptoms of severe iron deficiency.Īlthough reasons for this craving are unclear, some some experts theorize that chewing ice increases alertness in iron-deficient people (who are typically sluggish and tired) or that it soothes their swollen tongues. In a 2013 study of 75 people with iron deficiency anemia, researchers found that nearly 27 percent of them had atrophic glossitis, along with dry mouth, a burning sensation, and other issues affecting oral health. The swelling can cause problems with chewing, swallowing, or talking. The tongue will expand to the point that the usual bumps on the surface disappear, making it appear smooth. Your tongue is oddly swollenĪnother not-so-obvious symptom of iron deficiency is atrophic glossitis, also known as a swollen and tender tongue. In fact, one 2013 study of 251 people with iron deficiency anemia concluded that that the prevalence of RLS was nearly 24 percent (or nine times) higher than normal. The feeling has been described as burning, tugging, tingling, or the sensation of insects crawling around inside your legs.ĭoctors still aren’t completely sure what causes this condition, but some research suggests low iron levels could be an underlying problem. If you’ve ever sat in a chair and constantly felt the need to move your legs, you have an idea of what it’s like to have restless leg syndrome (RLS)-except people who have RLS feel this way all the time. You need to treat the underlying iron deficiency to keep the cracking from coming back again and again. In those cases, treating angular cheilitis on its own-say, with cream or ointment-wouldn’t help. ![]() In a study of 82 people with angular cheilitis, researchers found that 35 percent of them had iron deficiency. Those cracked corners can make it difficult to eat, smile, or even shout. But people with iron deficiency may be privy to a specific type of cracking called angular cheilitis, which affects the corners of your mouth. Thanks to harsh winters, a dry room, or a habit of licking your lips, just about everyone knows the pain of chapped lips. Since spoon nails can also be caused by trauma (like a jammed finger), exposure to petroleum-based solvents, and other issues, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends doctors do a blood test for iron deficiency anemia when other causes of spoon nails aren’t obvious. They look just how they sound-the inside of your nail sinks in, leaving you with a fingernail shaped like a spoon. Along with weak and brittle nails, spoon nails, also called koilonychia, can be indicative of an underlying iron problem. Your nails are brittle or spoon-shapedĪlthough they may seem unrelated to the rest of your body, your nails can actually say a lot about your health. If you do suffer from these non-food cravings, boosting your iron intake can help if a deficiency is present. It typically occurs in young children or pregnant women, but case studies show that older adults can experience pica, too. ![]() The condition is called pica and can be difficult to catch, mainly because people are ashamed to admit they have these strange addictions. While researchers are still trying to figure out why, people with severe iron deficiencies often crave non-food items like dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, and cleaning supplies, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. If you ate dirt as a kid, you might have been deficient in iron. ![]()
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