What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. When iron stores fall and anaemia develops, ordinary activity may feel harder and you may become short of breath, light-headed or aware of your heartbeat. Some people notice headaches, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, hair shedding or unusual cravings such as ice.

Symptoms can develop gradually and may be easy to attribute to a busy routine. Heavy Periods, pregnancy, low dietary iron, reduced absorption or blood loss from another source can contribute, so the cause should be checked rather than assumed.

Arrange a medical assessment if tiredness, dizziness, breathlessness or pallor persists. A clinician may ask about diet, periods, digestion, medicines and bleeding, then use blood tests to assess blood counts and iron status. Nutrition Counselling can help plan iron-rich meals, but food changes alone may not address an underlying source of blood loss.

Do not start high-dose iron without advice: it can cause constipation, nausea or abdominal discomfort and may be unsuitable for some people. Keep a note of bleeding, cravings, breathlessness and changes in exercise tolerance.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, confusion, a racing heartbeat with marked weakness, or visible heavy bleeding. Rapid worsening, black stools or vomiting blood also need prompt medical attention.

Ask: Do my symptoms fit iron deficiency anaemia? Which blood tests are needed? Could my periods, diet, digestion or another source of bleeding explain it? Should I take iron, and how will we monitor the response?