How do I know if I am iron deficient?

Answer 1

When my iron drops my biggest clue is I begin craving ice! It drives my husband crazy. I chew ice for days until I get my iron levels back up to where they should be.
Also, your skin will turn a bit pale maybe have a bit of a gray look. I don't know why this is!
I grab my iron Vits. and start popping! It is very costly to go to the doctor so if you want you can go to a clinic and they can do a quick blood test by pricking your finger. Takes about 10 mins. and costs about 20 bucks, sometime less!
My doctor tells me the reason I chew ice is because my body core temperature is attempting to regulate itself.
The remaining answers you received are correct as well. Your gums bleed, your stool turns whitish, go on line and look for symptoms of low blood iron.

Answer 2

One of the biggest signs of having an iron deficiency is bruising all the time and being weak. Also, Iron helps regulate your stool. If you are having bad stomach problems that could be a symptom as well. If these are a few of your symptoms you can either go to the doctors or go to any drug store and ask for iron pills. they only cost about 2 dollars for a bottle of 100

Answer 3

This is how it was done at home years ago. Look in the mirror and lower your bottom eyelid. if it isn't red or bright pink, then you could use more iron in your diet. If it is very pale or almost white , there is a chance you are quite anemic. and need to eat much more iron rich foods. I don't know how true this all is , but in my family this was the way anemia was detected at home. A doctor can tell for sure with a blood test.

Answer 4

You will need to have a blood test done to determine if you are deficient. Here are some symptoms:


-Lack of energy, feeling tired and weakness.

- Pale skin on the lining of the eyes, the inner mouth, gums and the nails.

- Rapid and forceful heart beat.

- Low blood pressure with position change, from sitting to standing up.

- Finger nails become thin, brittle and white. They may grow abnormally and get a spoon-shaped appearance.

- Severe menstrual pain and bleeding.

- Tongue may become sore, smooth, shiny and reddened.

- Decreased appetite especially in children.

- Headache - frontal-

- Shortness of breath during exercise. (even during a simple exercise like walking)

- Brittle hair.

- Reduction in immunity and increased vulnerability to infection.

- A strong desire to eat nonfoods such as ice, paint or dirt. A condition called pica.

- Disturbed sleep.

- Abdominal pain.

Answer 5

The doctor would have to give you the official result from a blood test, but sometimes you can give yourself an idea from checking the colour of your gums and the insides of your eyelids. They should both be a healthy deep pinky/red colour. If they appear pale or whiteish then this can be due to an iron defficiency.

Answer 6

The doctor will carry out a blood test to determine your iron levels.

Answer 7

Your gums may be pale. You may feel tired all the time. You may have cravings to eat dirt or clay (seriously). The only way to know for sure is to have a blood analysis. Then if you do, iron supplements should be taken.

Answer 8

If you're constantly tired and rarely have energy to do even the simplest things.

If you don't get enough foods with iron (green veggies, fish)

Heavy menstrual cycle (if applicable)

Hair loss

Answer 9

if ur feeling more tired than usual, weak, irritable or short of breath, pale skin, brittle nails, loss of appetite & possible frontal headache. you may need vitamin b12 complex injection by an md. u will feel more active in 2 days, than taking iron pills & waiting 1mo. due to stomach acid decreasing effectiveness of pills taken.

Answer 10

if you feel tired all the time.....and if you get a cut that doesnt stop bleeding very quickly it could be a sign of anemia...eat iron rich foods and drink orange juice with them.....vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.