Do I Have Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Do you feel extreme tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy)?

Do you have a pale complexion and pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids?

Do you have shortness of breath?

Do you have headache, dizziness or lightheadedness?

Do you have noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations) or cheat pain?

Do you have dray and damaged hear and skin?

Do you have inflammation or soreness of your tongue, or your tongue look swollen, pale or strangely smooth?

Do you have a strong urge to move your legs at rest (restless leg syndrome) or unpleasant and strange crawling or itchy sensations in the feet and legs?

Do you have brittle or spoon-shaped fingernails?

Do you have cold hands and feet?

Do you have unusual cravings for strange food or non-food items (“pica”), such as ice, paper, clay, chalk, dirt or starch?

Do you feel weak?

Have you noticed that you are more prone to infections than usual?

Do you feel anxious?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia, and represents a medical condition with low iron levels in your body. Iron is an important mineral used in production of red blood cells. More precisely, your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cells that gives them the red color and allows them to carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Iron deficiency can be caused by low iron intake with food, situations that increase the demand for iron (pregnancy, adolescence), poor iron absorption in your body or blood loss.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia refers to a health condition with low levels of red blood cells due to an insufficient amount of iron in your body. Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen through your body. Iron deficiency anemia can usually be corrected by dietary changes and iron supplementation. Please, talk to your doctor about your symptoms, because iron deficiency anemia is not something you can diagnose or treat on your own.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a common medical condition with a reduced number of red blood cells due to decreased iron levels in your body. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and iron deficiency anemia usually does not cause complications. Nevertheless, if left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can lead to heart problems, problems during pregnancy, and delayed growth and development in children. Treatment includes iron supplementation to increase iron levels in your body and treatment of the underlying cause of anemia.