Iron Deficiency Symptoms

Iron is an essential nutrient for your body, which you get from your food. It is needed for your mental and physical health and to keep your energy levels up. Sometimes your body’s demands for iron can outstrip supply, and this can lead to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency causes many symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important that you talk to your doctor.

Silhouette of orange woman's body on black background, with symptoms of iron deficiency pointing to various body parts


Hair Loss

Losing clumps of hair or more hair than normal

Mental Fatigue

Feeling mentally tired, irritable, dizzy or losing concentration quickly

Mouth Ulcers

Sore, white patches on the inside of mouth or sore, red flaky cracks at one or both sides of mouth

Headaches

Repeated headaches

Infection

May cause more infections than usual, such as coughs and colds

Sore Tongue

Affects the surface of the tongue making it feel sore or give dry mouth

Shortness of breath

Reduced physical capacity

Paleness

Most noticeable on the face, nails, inner mouth, and lining of eyes

Craving non-food

Cravings to eat ice or non-food items such as clay, dirt, ash, and starch

Physical fatigue/exhaustion

Feeling physically tired

Restless legs

A disturbing need to move legs even when resting

Brittle nails

Chip and crack easily

Cold intolerance

Cold hands and/or feet may mean that there is not enough oxygen being delivered in the blood

Cold intolerance

Cold hands and/or feet may mean that there is not enough oxygen being delivered in the blood