Everyone gets tired after a long day at work or busy day. However, if you are waking up feeling tired despite having a good nights sleep then it may be a sign that something is happening within your body. Other symptoms you may experience are constant headaches, tiredness, pale skin, increased hair loss and easily damaged nails.
You may be suffering from Iron Deficiency. Iron is needed by the body to create haemoglobin, this is a protein found in your blood cells. If your iron levels are too low, the body may struggle to create enough haemoglobin which can lead to Iron Deficiency Anaemia.
Women are more likely to experience iron deficiency issues in certain parts of their life such as periods with excessive bleeding or if pregnant. Knowing the signs can help you know when to take more notice.
WHY DO WE NEED IRON?
Iron helps to transport oxygen around our bodies via our blood. Our muscles, brain and other organs need enough oxygen to function properly. It also helps us create energy which is why we can feel tired if we aren’t getting enough.
If there isn’t enough iron in your body to create the required haemoglobin, you may find everyday tasks harder. This can include climbing stairs, walking to work, cooking and concentrating at work.
The complication can be that this can build up over time. You may begin to go to bed earlier, drink more tea/coffee or blame your busy workload. Sometimes making lifestyle changes can help but constant tiredness shouldn’t always be blamed on a busy lifestyle.
There are many reasons why you may feel tired. Iron deficiency is just one of them. Poor sleep, thyroid issues, other deficiencies and various medical conditions can all cause fatigue.
If you live in Sector 75, Sector 73, Sector 76, or nearby areas, consult Dr. Nayya Saini, a Women’s Health Specialist in Noida, to discuss your symptoms and receive appropriate guidance.
TIREDNESS, WEAKNESS AND DIZZINESS
If you are noticing that you’re becoming tired when walking further distances, or feeling weak or short of breath when climbing stairs, this can sometimes happen if you’re suffering from Iron Deficiency.
Some people may also suffer from dizziness, constant headaches or trouble concentrating. You may find that you are losing concentration when talking to someone or struggling to complete tasks that you would usually find easy. These can be linked to low iron but can also be due to stress, poor sleep or other health issues.
Sometimes you may notice changes in how you look. Depending on how bad your deficiency is you may notice:
- Paler skin
- More hair loss when brushing/washing
- Easily broken/splitting nails
- Very thin nails
- Changes to your tongue/mouth.
This does not always mean you are suffering from Iron Deficiency. Hair loss can be due to an illness or can be linked to thyroid issues and other deficiencies. Nails can also be brittle for many reasons
WHY WOMEN SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THEIR IRON LEVELS
During different times in a woman’s life their iron requirements will vary. During periods iron can be lost and women with heavy periods may be at greater risk of developing a deficiency. This can be increased further by what they eat and certain medical conditions.
During pregnancy there is an increased requirement for iron in the body. The blood volume increases and the baby needs more iron. Women with low iron stores may need to pay extra attention to their nutrition.
There are a few reasons why you may be suffering from low iron levels. You may not be consuming enough iron, some people require more iron than usual, or you may be losing blood or struggling to absorb iron from food.
Common reasons/causes of low iron levels are:
- Not consuming enough iron from your diet.
- Increased iron requirements during pregnancy.
- Heavy periods/bleeding.
- Struggling to absorb iron from food.
- Certain gut conditions.
- Increased nutritional requirements during certain times.
A woman with heavy periods and not enough iron in their diet may gradually develop a deficiency. Alternatively it may be due to an underlying gut condition.
It is important to find out why you are suffering from Iron Deficiency. Whilst taking supplements may help, if you don’t know why you are suffering from low iron levels then you may not be addressing the real issue.
A healthcare professional will be able to assess your symptoms, medical history and test results to advise what to do next.
CAN YOU GET ENOUGH IRON FROM YOUR DIET?
Consuming foods such as lentils, beans, leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, meats and fortified foods can help you get enough iron from your everyday diet. How much iron you absorb will depend on the food you are eating so it can be helpful to eat a range of iron rich foods.
Vitamin C can help increase iron absorption from plant based foods. Try adding foods such as Tomatoes, Guava or Oranges along with other vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables to meals with lentils, beans or leafy greens.
If your iron levels are quite low or you have developed anaemia then changing your diet may not be enough. Your doctor may advise you to take supplements and investigate why you are suffering from the deficiency.
If you are constantly feeling tired despite getting enough rest, or experiencing regular tiredness, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, increased hair loss, pale skin or trouble concentrating then take note.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history your doctor may advise a full blood count (CBC) or Ferritin Test to investigate your iron levels.
IRON DEFICIENCY DURING PREGNANCY
During pregnancy your body requires more iron. There is an increase in blood volume during pregnancy so your doctor may advise you to have extra monitoring, tests or treatment if you have low iron stores. This is why regular antenatal appointments are important. If you are experiencing unusual tiredness, weakness, dizziness or have a history of anaemia then mention this to your doctor. Whilst tiredness can be common during pregnancy, it shouldn’t be ignored.
Do not take high dose iron supplements unless advised by a medical professional. The correct amount to take will depend on your nutritional requirements, if you have been diagnosed with a deficiency and what your doctor advises. Taking unnecessary supplements can cause side effects and if there is an underlying cause this may still affect your iron levels.
As Iron Deficiency can develop gradually some women will get used to feeling tired every day. If you are no longer finding rest helping or experiencing other symptoms then mention this during your pregnancy appointment.
Gynaecology Consultations :-
Occasionally feeling tired is completely normal, however if you are constantly feeling exhausted then it is worth finding out why. One reason could be Iron Deficiency. If you are experiencing tiredness with other symptoms such as weakness, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, increased hair loss and changes to your skin and nails then this could be down to Iron Deficiency.
These symptoms can be caused by various things so it is best not to assume it is down to low iron. Consider when you started experiencing these symptoms, if they are becoming more frequent and how they are affecting your everyday activities. This will help your doctor to investigate.
If these symptoms are continuing then see a doctor. Finding out why can help you make informed decisions regarding your diet, treatment and overall health.
If you live in Sector 75, Sector 72, Sector 74, Sector 76, Sector 77 & Sector 80 Noida, looking for best Gynaecologist near me then consult with Dr Nayya Sain at RE-FORMe clinic ,Noida ,Sector 75 you can get the correct advice regarding your pregnancy and women’s health.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON SIGN OF IRON DEFICIENCY?
Constant tiredness is one of the most common signs of Iron Deficiency. Other symptoms you may experience are tiredness, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, pale skin and changes to your hair and nails. As these symptoms can be caused by various issues you may need testing to find out why.
2. CAN IRON DEFICIENCY CAUSE HAIR LOSS?
Yes! Low iron levels can cause increased hair loss in some people. However hair loss can also be due to stress, thyroid issues, recent illness or other deficiencies. Speak to a doctor to see if you should have testing for Iron.
3. CAN IRON DEFICIENCY OCCUR DURING PREGNANCY?
Yes! During pregnancy your body requires extra iron. Regular pregnancy care will help to monitor your nutritional requirements and if testing is required to find out if you have an Iron Deficiency.
4. CAN I FIX IRON DEFICIENCY WITH MY DIET?
A healthy diet can help keep your iron levels healthy but if you have a significant deficiency or have developed anaemia then you may need to take supplements. Speak to your doctor to see if you should take supplements, have further tests or treat any underlying causes.
5. SHOULD I TAKE IRON SUPPLEMENTS IF I AM FEELING TIRED?
Not necessarily. There are many reasons why you may be feeling tired and iron supplements are not suitable for everyone. Speak to a medical professional before taking any supplements, especially high dose.