What does dizziness feel like with iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency can reduce the body’s ability to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. As anaemia develops, the brain and muscles may receive less oxygen during activity. Dizziness may be worse when standing, walking upstairs or exercising. Other possible symptoms include unusual tiredness, breathlessness with effort, headaches, a pounding heartbeat, pale skin, cold hands or feet, and reduced concentration.

These symptoms are not specific to iron deficiency anaemia. A clinician can use your history and blood tests to check for anaemia and look for the reason iron is low, such as dietary insufficiency or blood loss.

Arrange a medical appointment if dizziness keeps returning, affects activity, or occurs with marked tiredness or breathlessness. Keep a note of episodes, menstrual bleeding, digestive symptoms, diet, and any medicines. Do not start high-dose iron without advice, because the right treatment depends on your blood results and the cause of deficiency. Sit down when lightheaded and rise slowly.

Seek emergency help for fainting with injury, chest pain, severe breathlessness at rest, new confusion, weakness on one side, or a fast or irregular heartbeat with feeling unwell. Prompt assessment is also needed for heavy ongoing bleeding, black stools, or dizziness that is sudden and severe.

Ask which tests are needed, what may be causing iron loss, whether supplements are suitable, how to take them, and what improvement to expect as treatment continues.