9. A Pounding Heart
If you have an iron deficiency and your body cannot transport enough oxygen around your body, your heart may try and compensate by beating harder to try and pump more blood to vital areas. This symptom is only ly to be noticeable in severe cases of iron deficiency (typically those leading to anemia) but if you think your heart is racing at an unusual pace, you may want to consult a doctor about your iron levels.
10. Feelings of Anxiety
Iron deficiency can fool your body into feeling more anxious than it usually would. A lack of oxygen speeds up your nervous system, which can affect your emotions. You may well feel more restless than usual, and have inexplicable feelings of ‘doom’ and foreboding. If you are feeling this then low levels of iron could provide you with an explanation.
11. Heavy Periods
Although an iron deficiency can affect anybody, women are more ly to develop problems than men. Iron is found in blood, so heavy blood loss can lead to a deficiency. People who have too much iron are actually encouraged to donate blood more often in order to expel iron from their body. However, women who suffer from heavy periods are more prone to low iron levels as they will be losing a lot during menstruation. If you suffer from heavy periods and notice other symptoms, you could be struggling with an iron deficiency.
12. An Underactive Thyroid
Iron deficiency can slow thyroid function and block the body’s means of boosting its metabolism. The thyroid contributes to numerous functions within the body and if yours is underactive you may notice weight gain, variations in your body’s temperature and feelings of sluggishness. Thyroid problems can be caused by an iron deficiency so it might well be worth taking a blood test.
