Hemoglobin is a protein that oversees carrying oxygen to the blood of vertebrates, and one of the crucial elements that make up hemoglobin is iron. So what exactly happens when someone does not have enough iron in their blood? Low iron, also known as iron deficiency anemia, can cause tiredness, tightness in the chest, and paler skin, to name a few symptoms.
People who have an increased risk of anemia are women, especially during their monthly periods and labor. In addition, children between the ages of one to two have growth spurts and need more iron in the body to support them. The elderly (to be more specific, those over the age of 65) are prone to anemia because they typically do not have enough iron in their diets and can develop chronic diseases. These are only a few examples of people who may develop anemia, but this list is not limited as there may be other cases that have not been mentioned here.
Below is a list of symptoms that may point to low iron.
Uncommon Tiredness
Being uncharacteristically tired is one of the most common signs of iron deficiency. As previously mentioned, hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein, with one of its main components being iron. Without enough oxygen circulating in the body, the tissues and muscles will begin to withdraw from the lack of energy. Furthermore, the lack of iron in the body forces the heart to pump more blood throughout the body because of the lack of enough oxygen-rich hemoglobin resulting in tiredness.
The main problem with using tiredness as a sign for checking if you have low iron is that working in today’s day and age is already draining. Because of this, it becomes difficult to gauge whether all you need is a good night’s rest or a doctor. If you’re still concerned, then the best way to know if you have an iron deficiency is by consulting a doctor. Consulting a doctor would be a good idea if you’ve noticed that you get exceedingly tired from barely doing anything.