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Iron deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough mineral iron. This leads to an abnormally low level of red blood cells. This is because iron is needed to produce hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells) that allows them to carry oxygen around the body. If your body does not have enough hemoglobin, tissues and muscles do not receive enough oxygen and cannot work effectively. This leads to a condition that is medically called anemia.
There are different types of anemia, but the one caused by deficiency is the most common in the world. Common causes include a poor or restrictive diet, inflammatory bowel disease, increased needs during pregnancy, and blood loss during heavy periods or internal bleeding. Symptoms vary for each person depending on severity, rate of development and health status. The most common symptoms:
- fatigue,
- pallor,
- shortness of breath.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency, affecting more than half of individuals, and this is due to a lack of hemoglobin in the body. When the body does not have enough, tissues and muscles do not receive enough oxygen, which deprives them of energy. Because fatigue is often considered a normal part of modern life, it is difficult to diagnose the problem based on this symptom alone.
Pallor
Pale skin is also related to a deficiency of hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells and makes the blood red. Thanks to low levels during iron deficiency, the blood is less red. Therefore the skin can lose its healthy pink color, which is why you appear pale. Pallor can appear over the whole body or it may be limited to one area, such as the face, gums or the inside of the lips.
Shortness of breath
A low hemoglobin level means a low amount of oxygen. This means that your muscles do not get enough oxygen to perform normal activities, such as breathing or walking. As a result, your breathing becomes more difficult as your body tries to obtain more oxygen. Therefore shortness of breath is a common symptom of this condition. If you have this problem, it may be due to iron deficiency.
