Common Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Iron Levels

Iron is an essential component of blood. Its main function is to synthesise haemoglobin in blood. Haemoglobin is the protein occurring in red blood cells (RBC). It helps RBCs to transport oxygen across the entire body through blood vessels. The deficiency of haemoglobin in blood interrupts the adequate supply of oxygen to the tissues and muscles. This leads to a condition, anaemia.

Anaemia can of different types. Anaemia occurring due to deficiency of iron is the most common among them. The symptoms of low blood iron vary according to age groups, general health conditions and severity of anaemia. Private blood tests in London ensure the adequacy of necessary iron in the blood. Following are some symptoms defining your iron deficiency:     

Feeling of Constant Tiredness

The constant feeling of tiredness is one of the major symptoms of anaemia occurring from low iron in blood. Low iron leads to the formation of low haemoglobin. Low haemoglobin does not supply sufficient oxygen to the body. This condition leads shortage of energy production within the body.

The shortage of energy causes the heart to work harder for pumping more oxygen-rich blood into the body. This gives rise to the feeling of constant tiredness. However, people often ignore this symptom as an indicator of iron deficiency due to their busy lifestyle.     

Frequent Headaches

Frequent occurrence of headaches is another common complaint of anaemia. This symptom of headaches mostly occurs in menstruating women. 

Heart Palpitations

Deficiency of iron indicates the insufficiency of haemoglobin in your body. As haemoglobin is the main carrier of oxygen to the body cells and tissues, low haemoglobin levels inhibits adequate supply of oxygen in the body. This eventually causes the heart to function more for producing more oxygen.

Such over-functioning of heart due to iron deficiency is responsible for the occurrence of a fast heart rate and eventually irregular heartbeats. This abnormal speed of the heart generates the condition of cardiac palpitations.     

Skin turning Pale

A pale skin is again a very common symptom indicating iron deficiency in your blood. The red colour of blood is due to the presence of haemoglobin in the RBCs.

If you are low in iron, it is obvious that your body is synthesising less haemoglobin. The decrease in the haemoglobin formation, therefore, reduces the vibrancy in the redness of the blood. This loss of the actual colour of blood causes the body to turn pale.

Skin Dryness and Increased Hair Damage

The adequate availability of oxygen in the body cells is responsible for the growth and regeneration of skin and hair. The deficiency of iron levels in blood reduces the oxygen supply to the hair and skin. This fosters negative effects on the skin and hair growth, which makes them weak and dry.

A certain amount of hair loss or hair damage everyday while bathing or brushing your hair is normal for a person. However, loss of large amounts or clumps of hair is a case of concern. It is, therefore, clear that excessive hair damage is a consequence of iron deficiency.

On the other hand, our skin requires adequate levels of oxygen to maintain its moisture throughout the day. The lack of oxygen supply to the skin, therefore, results in decrease of the moisture retention power of the skin. As a result, the skin becomes dry due to the deficiency of iron in blood.        

Breathing Shortness

It is evident that low iron in blood causes less formation of haemoglobin. This decrease in haemoglobin levels in the RBCs affects the adequate supply of oxygen to the tissues and muscles in the body. As a result, the muscles do not receive the proper amounts of oxygen necessary to perform regular normal activities. 

This is why people with low iron levels feel exhausted and breathing issues while performing usual daily tasks. You will face breathing shortness in performing activities that you performed easily earlier. Breathing difficulties occur while walking, climbing stairs or working out. These are basically the consequences of iron deficiency in your body.    

Sore Mouth and Swollen Tongue

The condition of your oral cavity is another crucial indicator of iron deficiency in your body. A swollen or an extremely smooth tongue may result from lack of iron.

You may get an inflamed and pale texture of your tongue when you are experiencing low blood iron. A burning sensation in your mouth, mouth ulcers, sore cracks at mouth corners or mouth dryness are some signs of iron deficiency. 

Feeling of Leg Restlessness

The restless leg syndrome shares a deep link with low body iron. It urges you to crawl and produces a prolonged itching sensation in your legs and feet. It is also a secondary symptom of anaemia.  

Brittle Fingernails

Koilonychia is a notable symptom of iron deficiency. It produces spoon-shaped fingernails. The fingernails develop an abnormal brittleness. These are easily breakable.

The shape of the nails resembles a spoon. With a deep middle and raised edges, the nails give a rounded appearance. This sign occurs only in patients with severe issues of iron deficiency.  

Final Thoughts

Private blood tests in London are crucial for the wellbeing of people. The assessment of iron levels through private blood tests identifies the emerging health issues and risk factors of iron deficiency. It offers an early protection against health complications resulting from low iron in blood.