# What Are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency? Why Is It Common in Women?

- Page: https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/iron-deficiency-symptoms
- Published: 8 November 2026
- Topics: Iron, Blood Test
- Topic page: Vitamins, Minerals and Blood Tests https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/topic/vitamins-minerals-and-blood-tests
- Publisher: care with .ki (content principles: https://www.carewithki.com/en/editorial-policy)

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> The most common symptoms of iron deficiency are tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin and headaches (NHS). In women the most common causes are heavy periods and pregnancy. As the deficiency progresses, iron deficiency anaemia develops. It is diagnosed with blood tests: a full blood count and ferritin, which shows the body's iron stores.

The most common symptoms of iron deficiency are tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin and headaches (NHS). In women the most common causes are heavy periods and pregnancy. As the deficiency progresses, iron deficiency anaemia develops. It is diagnosed with blood tests: a full blood count and ferritin, which shows the body's iron stores.

**In brief:**

- Iron is needed to make the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body (NHS).
- According to the WHO, in 2019 anaemia affected 30% of non-pregnant women aged 15–49 worldwide and 37% of pregnant women. The most common nutritional cause of anaemia is iron deficiency.
- Women aged 19 to 49 need 14.8 mg of iron a day; men need 8.7 mg (NHS).
- Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia (NHS).
- Iron tablets are used on a doctor's advice. Keep them out of children's reach; too much can be fatal for children (NHS).

## What does iron do?

According to the NHS, iron is important for making the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. When iron runs low, not enough of these cells can be made and iron deficiency anaemia develops.

The WHO defines anaemia as a lower than normal number of red blood cells or of the haemoglobin inside them. When haemoglobin drops, not enough oxygen reaches the organs and tissues. Anaemia is not a disease in itself but a sign of an underlying condition (WHO).

## What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia according to the NHS: tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, palpitations, paler skin than usual, headaches. Less common: ringing in the ears, changes in taste, itching, a sore tongue, hair loss, wanting to eat things like paper or ice, difficulty swallowing, sores at the corners of the mouth, spoon-shaped nails, restless legs

Common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia according to the NHS:

- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Shortness of breath
- Noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
- Paler skin than usual
- Headache
Less common symptoms:

- Ringing or buzzing in the ears or head
- Food tasting different
- Itching
- A sore or painful tongue
- Hair loss: noticing more hair coming out when brushing or washing it
- Wanting to eat non-food things such as paper or ice (pica)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Painful sores at the corners of the mouth
- Nail changes such as spoon-shaped nails
- Restless legs syndrome
The WHO also lists dizziness and cold hands and feet. In severe anaemia there may be paleness inside the mouth and nose and under the nails, fast breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness on standing up and easy bruising (WHO).

Most of these symptoms also have other causes. Only a blood test shows whether tiredness or hair loss is due to iron.

## Why is iron deficiency common in women?

According to the WHO, the groups most affected by anaemia are young children, menstruating adolescent girls and women, and pregnant and postpartum women. The reasons:

- **Periods:** according to the WHO, persistently heavy periods are a common cause of anaemia. The NHS also lists heavy periods among the most common causes of iron deficiency anaemia. We explain the signs of heavy periods in [How Long Does a Period Last?](https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/how-long-does-a-period-last).
- **Pregnancy and childbirth:** blood volume rises in pregnancy, and blood is lost during and after birth (WHO). According to the NHS, iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is mostly caused by a lack of iron in the diet.
- **Diet:** according to the WHO, iron deficiency most often comes from not getting enough iron from food.
- **Bleeding in the stomach and gut:** non-steroidal painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin, stomach ulcers, inflammation of the bowel or food pipe, and piles can cause it (NHS).
According to the NHS, women aged 19 to 49 need 14.8 mg of iron a day. Men and women over 50 need 8.7 mg. Women who still have periods after 50 may need the same amount as the 19–49 group.

## How is iron deficiency diagnosed?

Blood tests for iron deficiency: a full blood count shows red blood cells and haemoglobin; ferritin shows the body's iron stores. If the cause is unclear, a doctor may order a stool test for hidden blood. NICE recommends a full blood count for every woman with heavy menstrual bleeding

According to the NHS, a doctor first asks about your lifestyle and medical history and then orders a blood test:

- **Full blood count:** shows whether your number of red blood cells is normal. The same test also helps look for anaemias caused by B12 and folate deficiency (NHS).
- **Ferritin:** shows the body's iron stores. It can show that iron is falling even before symptoms appear (MedlinePlus).
According to MedlinePlus, a ferritin test may be ordered before symptoms appear in people at risk: those who are underweight, have heavy periods, are pregnant, or do not absorb nutrients well (for example people with inflammatory bowel disease or who have had stomach or bowel surgery).

If the cause of anaemia is unclear, a doctor may order a stool test for hidden blood or refer you to a specialist (NHS). NICE recommends a full blood count for every woman with heavy menstrual bleeding.

## What is done for iron deficiency?

According to the NHS, the cause of the deficiency is found first, for example heavy periods or an ulcer. The doctor recommends an approach based on the cause.

- **Iron tablets:** if a blood test shows low red blood cells, a doctor will recommend iron tablets. According to the NHS, tablets are usually taken for about 6 months and the doctor repeats the blood test within a few months. Constipation or diarrhoea, tummy pain, heartburn, nausea and darker stools can occur. Taking the tablets with or just after food may reduce these side effects (NHS).
- **Diet:** if your diet is contributing to the deficiency, a doctor will recommend iron-rich foods (NHS).
Do not take iron supplements on your own for long periods or in high doses. According to the NHS, more than 20 mg of iron a day can cause constipation, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain; very high doses can be fatal, especially in children.

## Which foods contain iron?

Good sources of iron according to the NHS:

- Red meat
- Beans and pulses: kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas
- Nuts
- Dried fruit: dried apricots, prunes, raisins
- Breakfast cereals and breads with added iron
- Dark-green leafy vegetables
- Liver (avoid during pregnancy)
**What affects absorption:** according to the WHO, vitamin C in fruit and vegetables helps iron absorption. Tea, coffee, cocoa, calcium and bran slow it down. Do not have them at the same time as iron-rich meals. If you take calcium and iron supplements, take them at different times of the day (WHO).

## When should you see a doctor?

- You think you may have iron deficiency anaemia (NHS)
- Your periods are heavy and wear you out or affect your daily life (NHS)
- You notice less common symptoms such as wanting to eat non-food things, spoon-shaped nails or restless legs
- You often take painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin or have stomach complaints; the NHS lists bleeding in the stomach and gut among the common causes of iron deficiency
- You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy

## Frequently asked

### Can iron deficiency cause hair loss?

It can. The NHS lists hair loss among the less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia.

### Iron deficiency or B12 deficiency?

Both cause anaemia and similar symptoms such as tiredness. A full blood count helps look for both (NHS).

### Does tea block iron absorption?

According to the WHO, tea and coffee slow down iron absorption. The NHS also advises people with iron deficiency anaemia to have less tea, coffee, milk and dairy. Try not to have them at the same time as iron-rich meals.

### How long does it take for iron deficiency to improve?

According to the NHS, iron tablets are usually taken for about 6 months. Over a few months, the doctor repeats the blood test to check whether your iron level is back to normal.

## References

- NHS. Iron deficiency anaemia. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/
- NHS. Vitamins and minerals – Iron. Last reviewed 3 August 2020. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iron/
- World Health Organization (WHO). Anaemia (fact sheet). 10 February 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia
- MedlinePlus. Ferritin Blood Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/ferritin-blood-test/
- NICE. Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management (NG88), Recommendation 1.2.6. Last updated 7 July 2026. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng88/chapter/Recommendations

_This article is general information; it is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation._