Iron Deficiency Symptom

An important iron deficiency symptom that strikes many people unaware is frontal headache, combined with any of the following: a sore tongue, brittle nails, and unusually pale skin. Iron deficiency anemia, the most common form of anemia, causes too few red cells to be present in the bloodstream. The few cells that are present are unable to meet the demand for oxygen from your tissue cells.

Iron supplements can help avoid this condition. Women, especially pregnant women, are most susceptible to this disease. The loss of blood, including during menstruation, is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in young women.

What Causes an Iron Deficiency Symptom?

Oxygen is carried through the blood in hemoglobin, and iron is a necessary part of hemoglobin. A lack of iron means the blood can't carry oxygen as quickly or in the quantities your body needs. Most of our iron comes from the food we eat; however, if your diet is lacking in red meat, eggs, and leafy green vegetables, you can develop a dangerous iron deficiency.

An iron deficiency symptom will develop slowly. You might be at risk if you are pregnant or lactating, a frequent aspirin user, or have a bleeding ulcer. If you think you are at risk for an iron deficiency, you can have your doctor test your hemoglobin levels, the level of serum iron in your blood, or your hematocrit levels.