What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?
One problem is that iron deficiency anemia is very sneaky. It usually develops very slowly over a period of many months or even years. There are no symptoms in the early stages. By the time you do have symptoms, the anemia may be severe. When present, symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. It can cause chest pain, as the heart is forced to work harder and faster to compensate. Other signs of iron deficiency anemia are a pale complexion and hair loss. Some patients report a sore red tongue and brittle fingernails. There is one symptom of iron deficiency anemia that is quite unusual. When specifically questioned, some patients report odd food cravings, a condition called pica. These individuals may find themselves uncontrollably eating large amounts of ice, starch, and even dirt and clay. When the anemia is treated, these odd cravings disappear. The cause is not known. What causes iron deficiency? It’s all based on a delica
