What is iron-deficiency anemia? What it is. What are the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia? Other symptoms include: Fatigue Dizziness or lightheadedness Cold hands and feet Pale skin.

What causes iron-deficiency anemia? Conditions that increase your risk of iron-deficiency anemia include the following: Blood loss When you lose blood, you lose iron.

Blood loss can happen in many ways: Bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract GI tract from an inflammatory bowel disease, ulcer, colon cancer, or a or other GI disorders such as celiac disease. Your body needs erythropoietin to make red blood cells.

Your doctor may prescribe erythropoietin if you have kidney disease. Long-lasting conditions that lead to inflammation: These include congestive heart failure or obesity. How do you prevent iron-deficiency anemia? Good sources of iron include beans, dried fruits, eggs, lean red meat, salmon, iron-fortified breads and cereals, peas, tofu, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes help your body absorb iron. Ensure that toddlers eat enough solid foods that are rich in iron. How much iron do I need each day? Daily iron recommendations. Recommended daily iron intake for children and adults.

How is iron-deficiency anemia diagnosed? How is iron-deficiency anemia treated? Several treatments can be used to treat anemia. Iron supplements, also called iron pills or oral iron, help increase the iron in your body.

This is the most common treatment for iron-deficiency anemia. It often takes three to six months to restore your iron levels. Your doctor may ask you to take iron supplements during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have side effects such as a bad metallic taste, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.

Your doctor may suggest taking your supplements with food, lowering the dose, or trying a different type of iron supplement. Intravenous or IV iron is sometimes used to put iron into your body through one of your veins.

This helps increase iron levels in your blood. It often takes only one or a few sessions to restore your iron levels. People who have serious iron-deficiency anemia or who have long-term conditions are more likely to receive IV iron.

Side effects include vomiting or headaches right after the treatment, but these usually go away within a day or two. Medicines such as erythropoiesis stimulating agent esa help your bone marrow make more red blood cells, if this is causing your iron deficiency.

These medicines are usually used with iron therapy in people who have both iron-deficiency anemia and another chronic long-term condition such as kidney disease. Blood transfusions quickly increase the amount of red blood cells and iron in your blood.

They may be used to treat serious iron-deficiency anemia. Surgery may be needed to stop internal bleeding. What happens if iron-deficiency anemia is not treated? What happens if not treated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the recommended daily dietary allowance for iron for most toyear-old women is 18 milligrams mg.

Pregnant women should be consuming 27 mg per day. Adult men, on the other hand, only need about 8 mg of iron per day. There are two types of iron: heme iron from animal sources and non-heme iron from plant sources. Heme iron is absorbed more readily by the blood. Foods rich in iron include beef, liver, oysters, beans, fortified cereals, and dark leafy greens like spinach.

Insufficient iron levels can wreak havoc all over the body. Here are seven surprising signs you may have iron deficiency.

People lacking enough iron in their blood often feel sluggish, weak, and unable to focus. Though fatigue can be the sign of numerous conditions, if it does not go away with adequate rest, consider having your iron levels checked.

Frequent infections Iron plays a key role in a healthy immune system , so lower levels of the mineral can make someone more susceptible to infections. Murr says. Red blood cells also carry oxygen to the lymph nodes, which house infection-fighting white blood cells. Pale skin Hemoglobin gives skin its rosy color, so low levels cause the skin to become lighter.

This may be easier to detect in people with lighter complexions, but no matter what your skin tone, if the area inside your bottom eyelid is lighter than normal, this may be a sign of iron deficiency. Swollen tongue Changes to your tongue, including soreness or swelling, can be a sign of iron deficiency.

Cracks on the side of the mouth are also common among people with iron deficiency. Restless Legs Syndrome Some people who have iron deficiency develop restless legs syndrome, a disorder that causes you to have a strong urge to move your legs.

The urge often comes with an unpleasant, crawling sensation in the legs that can make it hard to sleep. Pica People with iron deficiency may develop cravings for non-food substances, such as clay, dirt, or chalk, a condition known as pica. However, submitting to your cravings and eating these substances could be harmful, as it may lead to the ingestion of harmful toxins and substances.

Hair loss Iron deficiency, especially when it develops into anemia , can cause hair loss.

Work with your healthcare provider to investigate and treat the root cause of your IDA. Treatment of that condition is often vital to replacing iron and increasing hemoglobin.

Studies have found a link between iron deficiency and mental health. People living with IDA can experience multiple psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. There are many different things you can do to manage and lessen the psychological effects of IDA.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you find you are struggling to cope. There are different options to help you manage anxiety or depression.

This might include:. Treatment for IDA may include taking iron supplements and eating an iron-rich diet to improve iron levels. You may start to feel better in a couple of weeks, but it can take several months to build up a steady supply of iron in your body.

In the meantime, you might need support from family and friends to manage tasks and the physical and psychological effects of IDA.

It can be helpful to reach out to family and friends when you are struggling with high levels of fatigue and severe IDA symptoms. This support can help you manage household tasks or care for loved ones.

Family and friends might be able to help with preparing meals and caring for young children. Try to communicate clearly and directly to loved ones. This is especially important on days when fatigue, headaches, and other IDA symptoms are making it hard to get through your day.

Fatigue is not the only symptom of IDA you will need to manage so that you can better cope. In addition, you will want to pay attention to pica eating non-food items , headache, cold hands and feet, fast heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

These are common symptoms of IDA that are manageable. Pica is the term used to describe cravings for nonfood items, such as dirt, paper, and chalk. This is something that occurs in pregnant people and children who have IDA.

If you or your child experience this symptom, it is important to let your healthcare provider know so you have a complete understanding of the risks associated with pica.

Consider possible substitutes for your cravings, such as sugarless chewing gum, or ask a friend or family member to help you avoid nonfood items. Headache is a common symptom associated with IDA. Over-the-counter OTC pain relievers can be helpful, but if you find you are still struggling with headache symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.

If you are pregnant, ask your healthcare provider which OTC pain relievers might be safe for you to take. Many different prescription therapies can help manage and prevent headaches associated with IDA, including prescription headache medicine and antidepressants.

Relaxation therapies like biofeedback and eating a healthy, balanced diet can also help you manage headaches. Feeling cold in your hands and feet is common with IDA.

Wearing appropriate footwear and socks can keep your feet warm. Wearing mittens and gloves can keep your hands warm. You might also consider your core temperature and wear thin, layered clothing to keep the rest of your body warm.

It might also be helpful to avoid caffeine and nicotine because they are vasoconstrictors and can exacerbate cold. Unless your healthcare provider diagnoses you with a heart condition, IDA symptoms like fast heartbeat and shortness of breath do not require treatment.

However, your healthcare provider will still want you to find ways to avoid triggers, which might include caffeine, stress, and overexertion. You can reduce triggers by utilizing relaxation techniques yoga, meditation, or deep breathing and avoiding stimulants, including caffeine and nicotine.

While IDA does cause a fast heart rate and shortness of breath, you should still pay attention to these symptoms and know when to reach out to your healthcare provider or call The single most important thing you can do to manage IDA and to better cope with the condition is to prioritize your diet.

Diet is vital and helpful in managing many IDA symptoms and preventing the emotional effects of IDA:. Iron deficiency anemia can produce symptoms such as fatigue that impact your daily life. It can also lead to trouble sleeping and increase your risk of anxiety and depression.

You can use strategies to manage the fatigue, including changes to sleep, diet, and activity. You may need help and support from family, friends, and medical professionals on days when your symptoms are most severe.

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Sleep Med Rev. Stanford Medicine Health Care. Treatments for insomnia. Zheng D, Yuan X, Ma C, et al. Alcohol consumption and sleep quality: A community-based study. Public Health Nutr. Harvard Health Publishing. Fight fatigue with fluids. Bae H, Kim KT, Heo MH, Do YR, Cho YW.

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of restless legs syndrome in patients with iron deficiency anemia in Korea. J Clin Sleep Med. Silber MH, Buchfuhrer MJ, Earley CJ, Koo BB, Manconi M, Winkelman JW; Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.

The management of restless legs syndrome: An updated algorithm. Mayo Clin Proc. American Society of Hematology.

Anemia and pregnancy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. What is anemia of inflammation? Lee HS, Chao HH, Huang WT, et al. Psychiatric disorders risk in patients with iron deficiency anemia and association with iron supplementation medications: a nationwide database analysis.

BMC Psychiatry. American Psychological Association. Understanding psychotherapy and how it works. Cold fingers, cold toes? As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen hemoglobin.

As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath. You can usually correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplementation.

Sometimes additional tests or treatments for iron deficiency anemia are necessary, especially if your doctor suspects that you're bleeding internally.

Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. If you or your child develops signs and symptoms that suggest iron deficiency anemia, see your doctor.

Iron deficiency anemia isn't something to self-diagnose or treat. So see your doctor for a diagnosis rather than taking iron supplements on your own. Overloading the body with iron can be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage your liver and cause other complications.

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives blood its red color and enables the red blood cells to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body. If you aren't consuming enough iron, or if you're losing too much iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop.

Mild iron deficiency anemia usually doesn't cause complications. However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following:. Your body absorbs more iron from meat than it does from other sources.

If you choose to not eat meat, you may need to increase your intake of iron-rich, plant-based foods to absorb the same amount of iron as does someone who eats meat. You can enhance your body's absorption of iron by drinking citrus juice or eating other foods rich in vitamin C at the same time that you eat high-iron foods.

Vitamin C in citrus juices, like orange juice, helps your body to better absorb dietary iron. To prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants, feed your baby breast milk or iron-fortified formula for the first year. Cow's milk isn't a good source of iron for babies and isn't recommended for infants under 1 year.

After age 6 months, start feeding your baby iron-fortified cereals or pureed meats at least twice a day to boost iron intake. After one year, be sure children don't drink more than 20 ounces milliliters of milk a day. Too much milk often takes the place of other foods, including those that are rich in iron.

On this page. When to see a doctor. Risk factors. A Book: Taking Care of You. Nutritional Supplements at Mayo Clinic Store. Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include: Extreme fatigue Weakness Pale skin Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness Cold hands and feet Inflammation or soreness of your tongue Brittle nails Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Causes of iron deficiency anemia include: Blood loss. Blood contains iron within red blood cells. So if you lose blood, you lose some iron. Women with heavy periods are at risk of iron deficiency anemia because they lose blood during menstruation.

Slow, chronic blood loss within the body — such as from a peptic ulcer, a hiatal hernia, a colon polyp or colorectal cancer — can cause iron deficiency anemia.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can result from regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin. A lack of iron in your diet. Your body regularly gets iron from the foods you eat. If you consume too little iron, over time your body can become iron deficient.

Examples of iron-rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified foods. For proper growth and development, infants and children need iron from their diets, too.

An inability to absorb iron. Iron from food is absorbed into your bloodstream in your small intestine. An intestinal disorder, such as celiac disease, which affects your intestine's ability to absorb nutrients from digested food, can lead to iron deficiency anemia.

If part of your small intestine has been bypassed or removed surgically, that may affect your ability to absorb iron and other nutrients. Without iron supplementation, iron deficiency anemia occurs in many pregnant women because their iron stores need to serve their own increased blood volume as well as be a source of hemoglobin for the growing fetus.

These groups of people may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia: Women. Because women lose blood during menstruation, women in general are at greater risk of iron deficiency anemia. Infants and children. Infants, especially those who were low birth weight or born prematurely, who don't get enough iron from breast milk or formula may be at risk of iron deficiency.

Children need extra iron during growth spurts. If your child isn't eating a healthy, varied diet, he or she may be at risk of anemia.

People who don't eat meat may have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia if they don't eat other iron-rich foods. Frequent blood donors. People who routinely donate blood may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia since blood donation can deplete iron stores.

Low hemoglobin related to blood donation may be a temporary problem remedied by eating more iron-rich foods. If you're told that you can't donate blood because of low hemoglobin, ask your doctor whether you should be concerned. However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following: Heart problems.

Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood when you're anemic. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

Problems during pregnancy. In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies.