Women and vegetarians warned they're more at risk of iron deficiency

1063     0
Iron deficiency symptoms can make you always feel tired and cold (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Iron deficiency symptoms can make you always feel tired and cold (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Having low iron levels is a common occurrence that could lead to iron deficiency anaemia.

People most at risk of this include pre-menopausal women as they need more than twice as much iron as men due to menstruation and the loss of blood.

Pregnant women also need 50% more iron to help accommodate their growing baby.

Other risk groups include vegans and vegetarians as plant foods mostly contain non-heme iron, which is not as readily absorbed as the type found in meat.

But these groups are not the only ones susceptible to an iron deficiency and if constantly feeling both cold and tired it could mean you need to top up your iron levels.

Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report qhiqhhiqrzidedinvGreggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report

The main reasons for having low iron levels include:

So what are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Always feeling cold

Women and vegetarians warned they're more at risk of iron deficiencyWhen the body is low in iron, fatigue and coldness becomes apparent (Getty Images)

“Cold hands and feet can be a result of iron deficiency anaemia,” warns physician Dr Vikash Modi

“People with anaemia have poor blood circulation throughout their bodies because they don’t have enough red blood cells to provide oxygen to their tissue.

“If you’re not getting enough oxygen to your body tissue, you don’t have a normal sensation of hot and cold," he added.

Always feeling tired

When there is not enough iron in the body, the result is an inability to produce enough of a substance which enables it to carry oxygen.

The result leaves a person constantly feeling tired.

Other signs alongside tiredness are feeling run-down.

Main symptoms of an iron deficiency

Women and vegetarians warned they're more at risk of iron deficiencyBrittle nails are among other common signs of an iron deficiency (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Other signs you may have low iron levels include:

Signs of low iron levels in children include:

'I tricked my sister into giving her baby a stupid name - she had it coming''I tricked my sister into giving her baby a stupid name - she had it coming'

READ NEXT:

Jessica Knibbs

Pregnancy, Vitamins

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 13:46 • Sport
England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife
01.02.2023, 18:59 • News
Below Deck's Captain Lee teases Kate's return and praises 'best chief stew ever'
01.02.2023, 23:10 • News
Gemma Atkinson admits pregnancy worries have sparked her to hire private midwife
02.02.2023, 06:41 • News
John Legend talks about sentimental family link to his newborn daughter's name
02.02.2023, 09:13 • Sport
Tom Brady shares snap with ex Bridget Moynahan after announcing NFL retirement
02.02.2023, 10:40 • News
Woman celibate for 11 years gives birth to baby after buying £25 DIY sperm kit
02.02.2023, 12:55 • News
Mum's cancer tragedy after mansplaining doctor bets mortgage she is too young
02.02.2023, 14:06 • Politics
Inquiry launched into Omagh bombing 25 years after IRA atrocity which killed 29
02.02.2023, 14:43 • News
'I got pregnant twice in five days - my doctors were as confused as I was'
02.02.2023, 15:42 • News
Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan shows off ripped abs despite being 5 months pregnant