Iron deficiency does change your face to where your face can appear pale, dull or sallow, and the iron deficiency can also lead to dark circles under your eyes as well as dry and flaky skin and painful cracks at the corners of your mouth, which is known as angular cheilitis.
The facial changes with an iron deficiency occur because low iron limits hemoglobin, reducing the oxygen that is supplied to your skin tissues.
A lack of red blood cells also deprives your skin of it's healthy, rosy glow.
You can quickly check this, by pulling down your lower eyelid and the inside should normally be a vibrant red, but it might appear light pink or pale.
And because your skin becomes thinner and paler from having poor circulation, your dark blood vessels and tissues underneath your eyes also become much more visible.
And low iron also impairs your skin's barrier function and leads to moisture loss, tightness and a dry, flaky complexion.
A iron deficiency can also cause painful, red sores or cracks in the corners of your lips and the tissue in your mouth requires iron for structural repair and so an iron deficiency can lead ot angular cheilitis.
The papillae on your tongue may also disappear and leave it looking unnaturally smooth, glossy or swollen.
Iron is important to the human body because iron is a vital mineral that is primarily responsible for transporting oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
Iron is also a key component of hemoglobin in your blood and myoglobin in your muscles, while also playing an essential role in production of energy, immune function and cognitive health.
Roughly 70 percent of the human body's iron is bound to hemoglobin in your red blood cells and it binds to oxygen and allows red blood cells to carry it from your lungs throughout your entire body.
Iron also binds to myoglobin in your muscle tissues, which also stores and releases oxygen to support your physical activity and muscle contraction.
And as a cofactor for various enzymes, iron also plays a vital role in cellular respiration and the production of ATP, which is the human body's primary energy source.
Iron also aids in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin and supports overall brain function, attention and memory and iron is also critical for proper functioning of your immune system and helps your body to fight off infections.
Iron deficiency affects the human body by reducing the body's ability to carry oxygen, which commonly results in fatigue, weakness, pale skin, headaches and even shortness of breath.
Severe or untreated cases of iron deficiency can also result in iron deficiency anemia and even trigger hair loss, heart palpitations, restless legs and even unusual cravings for dirt or ice (pica).
Iron in the body is vital for producing hemoglobin, which transports oxygen throughout the body and when your iron supplies drop you can experience:
Physical exhaustion, like extreme fatigue, generalized weakness and even frequent dizziness.
Oxygen deficiency signs include shortness of breath, fast or irregular heartbeat and chest pain.
External signs of iron deficiency include pale skin, cold hands and feet, brittle nails and thinning hair.
And the neurological and sensory changes of iron deficiency include restless legs, difficulty concentrating and unusual non food cravings like clay, ice or starch.
The signs of iron deficiency are generalized weakness, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and pale skin.
As the iron deficiency progresses, the iron deficiency can cause brittle nails, restless legs syndrome, hands and even pica, which is the unusual cravings for non food items like dirt or ice.
Iron deficiency occurs when the body lacks enough of the needed iron to produce hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
And although mild cases of iron deficiency go unnoticed most often, worsening iron deficiency can lead to reduced oxygen delivery throughout your body.
The specific and localized symptoms of iron deficiency include:
Unexplained, extreme tiredness and a general lack of energy.
Shortness of breath, chest pain and a rapid or irregular heartbeat as your heart tries to pump more oxygen.
Pale skin, "especially noticeable on your inner eyelids, gums and your nailbeds), cold hands and feet, hair thinning and even brittle or spoon shaped nails.
A sore or smooth swollen tongue and cracks at the corners of your mouth and headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and restless legs syndrome, which is an irresistible urge to move your legs, often at night.
The 5 unexpected signs of low iron are Pica, koilonychia or spoon nails, Restless Legs Syndrome, glossitis and Tinnitus.
These 5 unexpected signs of low iron include:
1: Pica or Unusual Cravings, which is a bizarre and compulsive desire of chewing on ice or even non food items like chalk, clay, paper or even dirt.
2: Koilonychia (spoon nails) is where your fingernails become incredibly brittle, thin and then eventually they dip inward in the middle so that they then resemble a tiny spoon.
3: Restless Legs Syndrome or RLS is an irresistible and uncomfortable urge to move your legs, especially occurring at night or when you're trying to sleep or relax.
4: Glossitis (Swollen or Smooth Tongue), is when your tongue becomes swollen, inflamed or unusually smooth and shiny as a result of the loss of natural bumps or "papillae", which is sometimes also accompanied by a burning sensation.
5: And tinnitus, where you experience a persistent ringing, humming or whooshing sound in your ears, which does not have an external source.
Iron is very important to the body and having a lack of iron in the body, prevents your body from producing hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen.
The lack of iron or low iron in the body can result in iron deficiency anemia and cause symptoms like brittle nails, pale skin, shortness of breath and fatigue.
lack of iron or low iron in the body is caused primarily by for main issues, which include blood loss, dietary deficiencies, poor absorption and increased demand.
Heavy periods or gastrointestinal bleeding like from ulcers or regular use of pain relievers.
Dietary deficiencies such as from not eating enough iron rich foods like poultry, red meat, fish, lentils and spinach.
Poor iron absorption such as from digestive conditions such as celiac disease or gastrointestinal surgeries, which impair nutrient absorption.
And even growth spurts in children or increased blood volume during pregnancy.
If you suspect you have an iron deficiency you should speak with your doctor to get blood tests done such as a serum ferritin test to diagnose the condition accurately.
Treatment for iron deficiency involves addressing the underlying cause of the blood loss or malabsorption, incorporating iron rich foods into your diet and or taking iron supplements.