11/10/2025
Iron is an essential mineral your body needs to make hemoglobin, carry oxygen, and keep your tissues healthy. When you don’t get enough, it can lead to anemia, fatigue, and a wide range of symptoms that affect energy, mood, and appearance.
Here are 15 common signs of iron deficiency:
🔷 Chronic fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest
🔷 Rapid breathing and shortness of breath
🔷 Low endurance and exercise intolerance
🔷 Poor memory and brain fog
🔷 Heart palpitations or chest pain
🔷 Restless legs syndrome
🔷 Difficulty concentrating or hyperactivity
🔷 Dark circles under the eyes
🔷 Pale or dull-looking skin and eyelids
🔷 Pica, including cravings for ice, clay, or dirt
🔷 Dizziness or feeling lightheaded when standing
🔷 Weakness due to low oxygen delivery
🔷 Brittle nails with grooves or spooning
🔷 Hair thinning and loss
🔷 Twitching or muscle spasms
The most common causes of iron deficiency include chronic blood loss, diets high in grains and low in animal products, malabsorption from gut issues, and vegan or vegetarian diets that rely mostly on nonheme iron.
The best sources of iron are nutrient-dense animal foods, including clams, oysters, red meat, liver, fatty fish, eggs, mussels, and octopus. Pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C from vegetables or berries helps your body absorb iron more effectively.
If you suspect low iron, it’s important to get tested before supplementing. Too much iron can build up in the body and cause organ damage.