Iron deficiency is a silent epidemic worldwide and I know it can feel overwhelming trying to find answers to why you’ve been struggling and what to do about it.

Let’s talk about what your body is trying to tell you…

The symptoms of Iron deficiency are incredibly varied, because iron affects SO many functions in the body. They often overlap or are misdiagnosed as symptoms of other conditions.  So let’s talk about some of the most Common symptoms of iron deficiency that you may be experiencing:

• Constant fatigue or exhaustion– which feels like struggling just to get through the day or tiring super easily when you try to do anything!

• Anxiety and depression– Low iron is likely a huge factor in so much of the anxiety and depression people are struggling with but if  their iron deficiency isn’t diagnosed doctors just wind up masking the symptoms with prescriptions

• Excessive hair loss– Hair loss is a natural occurrence, but iron deficiency causes your body put hair growth into a dormant phase, and it is common to lose excessive amounts of hair

• Brittle Fingernails– Thin or ‘spoon shaped’ nails

• Chronic headaches or migraines– Low iron may be the root cause of migraines, menstrual migraines, and chronic headaches

• Brain fog– Or feeling like you can’t concentrate

• Insomnia– Despite feeling exhausted during the day you have trouble sleeping at night

• Dizziness –Feeling lightheaded or faint

• Heart Palpitations– Feeling of irregular or racing heartbeat even when at rest

• Paleness– Sickly or pale pallor to the skin

• Restless Leg Syndrome– Feeling like you have to move or shake your legs

• Shortness of Breath– The feeling of ‘air hunger’ like you can’t quite catch your breath

• Craving Ice– Strong cravings for ice or other ‘non-food’ substances

• Lowered immune system– Higher susceptibility to infection, frequently sick

Far too often people struggle for years not knowing why they feel so terrible, or get misdiagnosed with other conditions and doctors prescribe medications without ever discovering the root of the problem…your body is starving for iron!

Clearly, Iron is a vitally important mineral in our bodies and when iron is low it affects us in an incredible number of ways! Symptoms of iron deficiency often get increasingly worse over time as your iron stores become further and further depleted.

You will need to work with your doctor to order the specific blood tests that can identify iron deficiency, so that you can be proactive in raising your iron levels.

If you discover that your symptoms are indeed pointing to iron deficiency, your doctor will most likely recommend that you begin taking an iron supplement to help raise your iron levels back to a healthy level. (Click here to learn about the iron supplement I use and recommend)

So, if these symptoms are affecting your life, but you feel dismissed or treated like ‘its all in your head’…please take heart!

These symptoms are real and with the right answers and intervention you can take back your life!