Signs You Need an Iron Test: Pale Skin, Fatigue, Heart Palpitations

Iron deficiency, or a condition where your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin and carry oxygen through the blood vessels, is a frustrating and possibly risky concern. From its possible development into anemia to several other areas, there are many reasons why identifying and working to limit iron deficiency is important for anyone who may be dealing with it -- and recognizing some possible signs is a key element here.

At Pharmics Inc., we offer the best iron supplement products available, helping many people who deal with low iron levels to increase both their iron content and iron absorption. One of the first steps to this process is identifying low iron levels, which often involves testing or screening for iron deficiency -- what are some signs that you or someone you love should be having such tests carried out in the near future? This two-part blog series will go over several.

Pale Skin and Lower Eyelids

Paleness is often one of the first and most noticeable signs of an iron deficiency, and it's also something that can be tricky to spot on yourself. If you have darker skin, you may not see the same level of paleness that someone with lighter skin would -- but if you notice that your eyelids or the lower part of your eyes seem to have a noticeably different hue, it's worth investigating further.

Fatigue and Weakness

If you're constantly tired or feeling weak, especially in comparison to how you used to feel, it may be a sign that your iron levels are low. This is due to the fact that not enough oxygen is getting to your muscles, and can often be accompanied by feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.

To be clear, there are other possible reasons why you might be tired, and you should consider these as well. But especially if these symptoms show up along with others we discuss here, iron levels could be the concern.

Shortness of Breath

Another common symptom, this one is often chalked up to things like being out of shape -- but if you're noticing that you're short of breath more often than usual, especially when you haven't changed your physical activity level, it may be a sign that something else is going on. As with fatigue, there are other potential causes here too, so explore the full range.

Heart Palpitations

One of the more serious potential symptoms, heart palpitations can be a sign that your iron levels have dipped too low. If you're noticing your heart racing or skipping beats more often than usual, especially when you're not doing anything physically strenuous, it's worth getting checked out.

If you think you have symptoms of iron deficiency, ask your healthcare provider to check your iron levels. For more on some of the signs that you should be tested for low iron levels immediately, or to learn about any of our iron supplements or other products to help those with iron deficiency anemia or related conditions, speak to the pros at Pharmics, Inc. today.

Check with your physician before taking an iron supplement or giving an iron supplement to an infant or any child.

*WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep iron containing products out of the reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

Statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.