Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with decreased appetite. The ghrelin hormone is one of the major regulators of appetite.
An iron deficiency will leave you with very low energy and may be a reason for your sugar cravings because the body will crave quick energy to boost itself up.
Cocoa is really nutrient dense with magnesium, iron and fiber. If you follow a plant-based diet, you might be craving chocolate if you're anemic or low in iron. Chocolate has a small amount of iron, but it's easy for your body to access.
Some studies show that anemia too can make you crave salt. But, how does anemia cause salt cravings? Anemia results in fatigue, muscle cramps, confusion, and fainting, apart from pica and can cause salt cravings. Iron deficiency anemia can also be related to other problems, which affect sodium balance.
Craving salt is not a sign of iron deficiency, and most often is not a sign of deficiency at all. Although rare, it occasionally symbolises a deficiency in chloride, an important mineral most often known referred to as electrolytes.
If you suspect you might have an anemic disorder, check yourself for the following symptoms and call your doctor for further advice. A sudden lack of energy and chronic fatigue are warning signs that you might be lacking enough iron.
Pale skin Hemoglobin gives skin its rosy color, so low levels cause the skin to become lighter. “When red blood cells become low in iron, they become smaller and paler in the center so skin also becomes paler,” Murr says.
When your body isn't getting enough oxygenation due to a lack of iron, you may find it hard to maintain focus and carry out your daily tasks. In addition, you may experience mood swings and irritability. Over time, in some cases, it may cause anxiety and depression. So, all these problems are interrelated.”
Tiredness, seemingly unexplainable weight gain and headaches can all be symptoms of iron deficiency.
In fact, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause mood swings and lead to binge eating. When women experience menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, fluctuating testosterone and estrogen levels may cause unique cravings. Stress also plays a crucial role in hormonal imbalances leading to cravings.
Fatigue. Tiring easily, and waking up tired even after a good night's sleep, are common and potentially serious symptoms of anemia. This is due to reduced and compromised red blood cells that naturally cannot carry the required levels of oxygen to the organs – which, in turn, cannot function efficiently.
If you are not getting enough iron through your diet, you may experience excessive hair shedding (Telogen Effluvium). You may also find that your hair will not grow past a certain length.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.
People with iron deficiency anemia may experience itchy skin (pruritis) that can become red, bumpy and sore when scratched. Rashes associated with aplastic anemia usually appear as tiny red or purple dots under your skin (petechiae). The dots can form large patches but aren't usually itchy or painful.
Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA)
Anaemia is defined by the World Health Organization as a Hb level below 120 g/L in non-pregnant females and 130 g/L in males, which is consistent with the definition of anaemia in the National Blood Authority Patient Blood Management Guidelines.
Pernicious anemia causes the tongue's surface to look smooth and appear red instead of the pinkish color of a normal tongue. The tongue might also appear thick or beefy in texture. Some tongues might even be swollen or seem to have cracks.
Understanding Anemia And Anxiety
Many different vitamin deficiencies can lead to anemia. Anemia itself can also cause anxiety as a symptom. Those that are anemic are placing their body under a great deal of stress, and this often sends messages to the brain to be more anxious.
Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia. It can happen if you don't eat enough foods containing iron, your body can't properly absorb iron, you lose iron through your blood, or you're pregnant.
Poor appetite
Although poor appetite is common, especially among infants and children, it can also indicate iron deficiency, says Dr Ranjan. It is vital to include iron-rich foods, as part of your daily meals.
Anemia can cause thirst. When you have anemia your body struggles to produce enough healthy red blood cells [2]. A variety of different things can cause anemia such as a poor diet or another disease. When you have serious signs of anemia, it can make you feel thirsty, dizzy, tired, and weak.