How to find out if you are anemic

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiency, and women are at particular risk. If you have any of the following symptoms or conditions, it would be advisable to seek the advice of your doctor and do some of the simple analysis that may indicate iron deficiency.

1. The most common first symptom of anemia, and no one is paying attention to it is feeling tired. Women are so used to feel tired, given the today’s fast lifestyle, you do not even pay attention to this symptom.
2. Heavy menstrual bleeding. Between women, this is one of the most common causes of iron deficiency and related anemia.
3. Pale discoloration of the skin and visible mucous membranes.
4. Sense of “short breath”. No matter how deeply you breathe, if the oxygen level in the blood is low, you will have the feeling of lack of air.
5. Restless legs syndrome. According to some studies, about 15% of people with restless leg syndrome have a lack of iron. When the level of iron is lower, symptoms are more pronounced.
6. As a consequence of insufficient oxygen in the blood, a common symptom of iron deficiency is also a headache.
7. Sense of fear and anxiety. An iron deficiency can give symptoms similar to anxiety. The lack of oxygen leads to increased heart rate and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which can induce a person to interpret these symptoms as anxiety attack.
8. Hair Loss. Insufficient oxygen states organism to redistribute blood to vital organs, so that, among other things, can lead to increased hair loss.
9. Vegetarians and vegans. Iron is not absorbed equally from all foods. People whose main source of iron comes from foods of plant origin may be at increased risk for lack of this element.
10. Impaired function of the thyroid gland. Iron deficiency affects the decrease in the activity of the thyroid gland, which is often overlooked.
11. Pregnancy. In addition to folic acid, iron is essential for babies too, which they “steal” from mom’s stock. Also, during the childbirth there is a significant loss of blood, which causes a decrease in the iron concentration.
12. Tongue changes. Smooth, pale and with movements sore tongue can be caused by insufficient iron concentrations.
13. Celiac disease or chronic inflammation of the intestines. Even if you’re getting enough iron from the food, the existence of celiac disease or Crohn’s disease can lead to problems in the absorption of iron due to damage to the villi.