Iron supplements: The 15 signs you have iron deficiency anaemia

IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA is the most common cause of anaemia, and more than 25 percent of the global population are iron deficient. Here are the 15 signs you might be too. Dr Dawn Harper on signs of vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency About four million people in the UK are impacted by iron deficiency anaemia. This happens when you don’t have enough iron in your body and you experience unpleasant symptoms. Iron deficiency is dangerous and can seriously impact your immune system and heart. Express.co.uk chatted to Richard Staveley, Director of Wicked Gummy Co. to find out everything you need to know about taking iron supplements and whether or not you need them. Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by a lack of iron, which normally occurs as a result of blood loss or pregnancy. Heavy periods and conditions such as stomach ulcers, swelling of the colitis or oesophagus, piles, or cancers of the bowel or stomach can make you iron deficient too. You can find out if you are iron deficient by having a blood test at your local GP surgery. The GP will find out if the number of red blood cells you have is normal. READ MORE- Best supplements: Vitamin C for iron deficiency We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights. Your diet plays a huge role in how much iron you get, as only some foods are rich in iron. Mr Staveley said: “Meat is a good source of iron because it has the red pigment haemoglobin in it; the easily absorbed sort.” Vegans and vegetarians are more likely to be iron deficient but can stock up on foods packed with iron such as leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals and bread, and pulses and beans. Mr Stavely added: “Iron in plant-based foods can be more difficult to absorb and use. “This is an occasion when supplementation can be useful.” The symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia are noticeable and may lead you to get your blood tested. Symptoms can include: Less common symptoms are: DON'T MISS... Hair loss treatment: Iron supplements may promote hair growth [INFORMER] Low iron levels linked to hair loss - how to top up your iron levels [INSIGHT] Iron deficiency symptoms: Does iron deficiency make you tired [EXPLAINER] If left untreated, iron-deficiency anaemia can cause serious health problems. Mr Staveley explained: “Having too little oxygen in the body can damage the heart as it needs to work that much harder to make up for the lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin.” The NHS website notes untreated iron deficiency anaemia also leaves you more at risk of illness and infection because a lack of iron impacts the immune system. People with untreated iron-deficiency anaemia may also have an increased risk of developing compilations that affect the heart or lungs. If you’re pregnant and iron deficient, this can cause a greater risk of complications before and after birth. The NHS website states if you have iron-deficiency anaemia, your GP will prescribe you iron tablets to replace the iron missing from your body. You can buy other tablets, but the prescribed ones are much stronger and you’ll need to take them for about six months. If you aren’t iron deficient, it would be beneficial to take an iron supplement to prevent you from becoming deficient. The NHS suggests the amount of iron you need is: Mr Staveley said: “Our Iron Gummy contains 14mg of Iron per serving which is enough to ensure you’re hitting the government prescribed recommended daily allowance.” If you’re a woman aged between 19 and 50, this gummy will cover most of your daily intake but you can get the remaining 0.8mg of iron from iron-rich foods. Just 100g of raw spinach contains 2.7mg of iron or 100g of chicken contains 1.3mg of iron. Mr Staveley added: “Iron supplements are great in helping reverse low iron levels or treat iron-deficiency anaemia when optimal iron levels can’t be reached through the diet. “Depending on personal circumstances (such as dietary persuasions or pregnancy) they can produce results quicker than diet interventions and as a result are often considered a treatment method of choice.”