6 signs that reveal your body is iron deficient

If you feel exhausted and have difficulty climbing stairs, it could be a sign of iron deficiency - the most common nutritional deficiency, especially women are at higher risk than men.

In addition to common signs, there are some signs of iron deficiency that few people know about, according to MSN.

Craving things that are not food

Some studies have found that people with severe iron deficiency crave non-food items like dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, and even toilet paper. This condition is called pica. Some experts believe that for people with non-food cravings, iron supplements may help alleviate this strange addiction.

Concave nails

Nails are one of the most common areas of the body where iron deficiency occurs. Iron deficiency can cause weak and brittle nails, and concave fingernails and toenails, a condition known as Koilonychia.

Chapped lips

Dry, cracked corners of the mouth can be a sign of iron deficiency - Photo: Shutterstock

Cold, dry weather or a habit of licking your lips can cause them to become dry and cracked. But about a third of people with iron deficiency develop cracks at the corners of their mouth, known as cheilitis, which makes it difficult to eat, smile, or even speak loudly. In a study of people with cheilitis, researchers found that 35 percent of them were iron deficient.

Swollen tongue

Another less common symptom of iron deficiency is atrophic glossitis, which causes the tongue to swell and become painful. With atrophic glossitis, the tongue swells, causing the normal bumps on its surface to disappear and making the tongue appear flat. The swelling can make it difficult to chew, swallow, or talk.

Craving ice all the time

Craving ice is a specific form of pica, also known as pagophagia. And craving ice is one of the most common symptoms of severe iron deficiency. While the reasons are unclear, some doctors theorize that chewing ice increases alertness in iron-deficient people who are already tired and sluggish, or helps soothe a swollen tongue.

Tingling feet

Have you ever sat in a chair and felt like you should keep moving your legs? This symptom could be restless legs syndrome (RLS), but people with RLS feel like they want to move all the time. People with iron deficiency may feel like their legs are hot, itchy, or crawling. Doctors aren’t entirely sure what causes this condition, but some preliminary research suggests that iron deficiency may be a cause of tingling in the legs.

According to thanhnien.com.vn