- Craving Ice
Craving or chewing ice often can sometimes be linked to low iron. It’s not about cooling down. Some people find the crunch strangely satisfying, and the craving may ease when iron levels improve.
- Restless Legs at Night
A strong urge to move the legs, especially when trying to sleep, can sometimes be linked to low iron. It’s called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and can interrupt sleep.
- Feeling Cold When Others Aren’t
Low iron can affect temperature regulation. If you’re always reaching for a jacket or have cold hands and feet, it may be worth paying attention.
- Cracks at the Corners of the Mouth
Small splits on the sides of the lips (angular cheilitis) can be painful and slow to heal.
People often blame dry weather, but in some cases, it appears with anaemia.
- Fast Heartbeat
The heart may beat faster to move oxygen around the body. Some people describe it as “pounding” or feeling like anxiety without a clear trigger.
- Hair Shedding
Hair loss may appear months after iron levels drop, making the connection easy to miss. It is not immediate and not caused by washing or styling.
- Spoon-Shaped or Brittle Nails
Nails may become thin, break easily, or curve upwards like a spoon. This sign is rare, but distinctive.
- Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
Some people with low iron notice ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds in the ears. Tinnitus has many possible causes, but if it appears together with ongoing tiredness, it’s worth mentioning to a healthcare worker.
- Bluish Tint in the Whites of the Eyes
In rare cases, the whites of the eyes can look slightly blue or grey. This can happen in severe iron-deficiency anaemia, but it can also have other causes, so it should always be checked by a healthcare worker.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2878143/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5-weird-signs-of-iron-deficiency
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22824-iron-deficiency-anemia
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/why-am-i-cold
