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Your body needs iron to process hemoglobin; hemoglobin helps the red blood cells to carry blood to various parts of the body. So, when you do not have enough iron in the body, blood will not be properly circulated in the body.
To get iron, you need to eat foods that are rich in iron such as dark green leafy vegetables, liver and legumes. Iron deficiency leads to anemia.
Some of the most common signs of iron deficiency include:
1. Fatigue
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There are various reasons as to why you may be feeling tired for no apparent reason. When you have a deficiency in iron, it means your body may not be getting a sufficient flow of Oxygen. Also, your heart is forced to overwork in order to pump blood throughout the body leaving you feeling tired.
2. Paleness
The protein hemoglobin is responsible for the red color of the blood. When the body does not produce enough of it, your body becomes pale. The paleness may appear on your face, eyes, nails or the gums.
3. Shortness of breath
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If you have been feeling out of breath after climbing a hill or while at the gym, you could be having iron deficiency. Hemoglobin transports the Oxygen and so when it is not being produced, you are likely to fall short of breath.
4. Hair loss
When iron deficiency develops into anemia, it leads to hair loss. So if your hair has been falling without growing back, you should see a doctor for examination.
5. Heart palpitations
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If you are in the habit of monitoring your heartbeats, you will not fail to notice when something unusual happens. Iron deficiency leads to irregular and faster heartbeats as it tries to supply Oxygen to various parts of the body.
6. Swollen tongue
The tongue speaks various things about your health. When you have iron deficiency, the tongue may be pale, swollen or abnormally smooth. The red blood cells contain myoglobin, a protein responsible for supporting the muscles of your body such as those that make up the tongue. Low levels of myoglobin causes the tongue to swell.