6 signs that reveal iron deficiency in the body.

If you feel exhausted and find it difficult to climb stairs, it could be a sign of iron deficiency – the most common nutritional deficiency, with women being at higher risk than men.

In addition to the common signs, there are some lesser-known signs of iron deficiency, according to MSN.

Craving things that aren't food.

Several studies have found that people with severe iron deficiency often crave non-food items such as dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, and even toilet paper. This condition is known as pica – the craving for non-food items. According to some experts, iron supplementation may improve this unusual craving in patients with non-food cravings.

Concave fingernails

Nails are one of the most common parts of the body that show signs of iron deficiency. When iron is deficient, nails become weak and brittle, and both fingernails and toenails become concave, a condition known as Koilonychia.

Cracked lips

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

Dry, cold weather or the habit of licking your lips can cause them to dry and crack. But about one-third of people with iron deficiency experience cracks at the corners of their mouths, also known as Cheilitis, which makes it difficult to eat, smile, or even speak loudly. In one study of people with Cheilitis, researchers found that 35% of these patients were iron deficient.

Swollen tongue

Another less obvious symptom of iron deficiency is atrophic glossitis, which causes the tongue to swell and become painful. In atrophic glossitis, the tongue swells, causing the normal skin on its surface to disappear and leaving the tongue flat. This swelling can make it difficult for the patient to chew, swallow, or speak.

Constantly craving ice.

Craving ice is a specific form of pica syndrome, also known as pagophagia. And ice craving is one of the most common symptoms of severe iron deficiency. While the reason is unclear, some doctors hypothesize that chewing ice increases alertness in iron-deficient individuals—who are often tired and sluggish—or helps soothe their swollen tongues.

My feet are tingling.

If you've ever sat in a chair and felt uncomfortable, as if you needed to keep moving your legs, this could be restless legs syndrome (RLS), but people with RLS always feel the urge to move. Those with iron deficiency may experience a burning, itching, or crawling sensation in their legs. Doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this, but some preliminary studies suggest iron deficiency may be a contributing factor to this tingling sensation.

According to thanhnien.com.vn