Signs of Low Iron Levels

Iron is an extremely important mineral. Not only is it essential for healthy blood cells and oxygen transport, it is also needed for many other functions, such as building strong hair and nails, bone formation and immune system function.
Signs of low iron levels can often creep up on us. They can be mild at first, with symptoms developing gradually over time.  This is why it is often difficult to pinpoint when the signs of low iron levels first began.
The first signs of low iron levels can be as simple as feeling breathless when you exercise or walk up a flight of stairs. Other early signs of low iron levels include hair which is thinning or in poor condition, or nails which split and break easily.
Fatigue and lethargy are also very common signs of low iron levels. Women with low iron often report having a lack of energy, and often look tired and pale.
Signs of low iron levels can also include frequent illnesses and infections. Healthy iron levels are needed for a strong immune system, and a lack of iron can leave us susceptible to catching whatever comes our way. Making sure iron stores are at optimum levels is always a good idea before winter sets in.
When deciding if you need a high dose iron supplement, it is always advisable to get a blood test at your doctor first. High dose iron tablets (ones that contain in excess of 80mg of inorganic iron such as fumerate or sulphate) may do more harm than good if they are not needed. Because signs of low iron levels are similar to signs of low levels of other vitamins, including B and C, it is advisable to get an iron test before taking high dose iron tablets.
The best kind of iron test to get is one which checks for both the iron currently in your bloodstream (haemoglobin) and also the stored iron in your body (serum ferritin). Signs of low iron levels often occur when blood levels are fine but stored levels are low, so it is important to get both checked to get the full picture.
If you are concerned that you are not getting enough iron in your diet, but don’t want to take a high dose iron tablet, a multivitamin containing an organic form of iron such as amino acid chelate may be a good idea. This is often referred to as a “maintenance dose” of iron and is often enough to prevent signs of low iron levels by preventing storage levels from dropping.
For the best multivitamin with iron for Australians, click here