What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

Common symptoms include tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, a pale appearance, and heart palpitations. Some people notice headaches, brittle nails, or unusual cravings. Mild anaemia may cause few symptoms.

What causes low iron?

Common causes include not getting enough iron from the diet, blood loss (such as heavy periods, or bleeding from the gut), pregnancy, and conditions that affect iron absorption. Finding the cause is an important part of treatment.

Treatment usually involves iron supplements prescribed by a GP, alongside treating whatever is causing the low iron. Eating iron-rich foods helps too. It is best to take supplements on a GP's advice rather than self-treating, so the cause is not missed.

Which foods are high in iron?

Good sources include lean red meat, beans and pulses, fortified cereals, and dark green leafy vegetables. Having vitamin C (for example a glass of orange juice) with iron-rich plant foods can help absorption.

Iron deficiency anaemia | HealthAnswers

Quick answer

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia happens when the body does not have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen. It can cause tiredness, breathlessness and looking pale. It is common, found with a blood test, and usually treated effectively by treating the cause and replacing iron.

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia is a common condition where a lack of iron means the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, so when there are too few, you can feel tired and run down. It is the most common type of anaemia and is usually very treatable.

Symptoms

Iron deficiency anaemia can cause:

tiredness and a lack of energy
shortness of breath
a pale appearance
heart palpitations
headaches

Mild anaemia may cause few or no symptoms, and it is often picked up on a blood test.

What causes it

Low iron can result from not getting enough in the diet, from blood loss (such as heavy periods or bleeding from the digestive system), from pregnancy, or from conditions that reduce how well iron is absorbed. Identifying the cause is a key part of treatment, which is why it is important to see a GP rather than simply taking supplements.

Treatment

Treatment usually involves iron supplements, prescribed and monitored by a GP, alongside dealing with whatever is causing the iron loss. A diet including iron-rich foods — such as lean red meat, beans, pulses, fortified cereals and dark green leafy vegetables — supports recovery. Having vitamin C with plant sources of iron can help the body absorb it.

When to see a GP

See a GP if you have ongoing tiredness, breathlessness or pallor, so a blood test can check for anaemia. Always mention heavy periods, or any blood in your stool or black stools, as the cause of low iron needs to be found and addressed, not just the iron replaced.

Common questions

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?: Common symptoms include tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, a pale appearance, and heart palpitations. Some people notice headaches, brittle nails, or unusual cravings. Mild anaemia may cause few symptoms.
What causes low iron?: Common causes include not getting enough iron from the diet, blood loss (such as heavy periods, or bleeding from the gut), pregnancy, and conditions that affect iron absorption. Finding the cause is an important part of treatment.
How is it treated?: Treatment usually involves iron supplements prescribed by a GP, alongside treating whatever is causing the low iron. Eating iron-rich foods helps too. It is best to take supplements on a GP's advice rather than self-treating, so the cause is not missed.
Which foods are high in iron?: Good sources include lean red meat, beans and pulses, fortified cereals, and dark green leafy vegetables. Having vitamin C (for example a glass of orange juice) with iron-rich plant foods can help absorption.

Sources

NHS — Iron deficiency anaemia