Iron deficiency anemia: 3 noticeable signs in your body

Red blood cells play a significant role in maintaining our overall health. It helps carry oxygen from our lungs to other parts of the body and return back with carbon dioxide to be exhaled by the lungs. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is a lack of red blood cells in the body. Iron is an important mineral that helps the body produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen, which is called hemoglobin, explains the Mayo Clinic. That said, iron deficiency anemia can lead to noticeable symptoms.

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Anemia is a result of low red blood cells level in the body. It is when the body cannot efficiently transport oxygen to the body tissues. An early sign of iron deficiency anemia is extreme tiredness and weakness. One may find it difficult to carry out normal activities and have trouble sleeping or performing mild to moderate exercises.

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As discussed, iron helps in the production of hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that help carry oxygen around the body. Insufficient or lack of hemoglobin can force the heart to pump extra hard to transport oxygen. This could cause irregularities in the heartbeat, leading to fast-beating, pounding hearts, also called heart palpitations.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, those with mild or moderate iron-deficiency anemia may not usually show symptoms. However, when they do, they may experience shortness of breath as one of the most common symptom. This occurs due to insufficient iron in the body, which in turn limits the production of hemoglobin in the RBC that helps transport oxygen from lungs to different parts of the body.

Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to pale skin, chest pain, headache, dizziness, cold hands and feet, soreness of the tongue, brittle nails and loss of appetite, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The mineral deficiency is most prevalent in women, especially menstruating women. This is due to the loss of blood women experience during their period. Vegetarians are also at risk of iron deficiency since meat is one of the best sources of iron. As per the Mayo Clinic, infants, particularly those who were low birth weight or born prematurely, who don't get enough iron from breast milk or formula may be at risk of iron deficiency.