Iron deficiency is common. Symptoms may include low mood, anxiety and general worry. A simple test you perform at home gives you an immediate answer. Iron is a very important substance for the body to produce enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency means that the body is not supplied with enough oxygen. There are different causes of iron deficiency, but it is often due to losing a lot of blood during heavy menstruation, stomach ulcers or other intestinal diseases, or an accident in which a large amount of blood is lost quickly.

If you suspect iron deficiency, do not self-medicate with iron tablets - test first. Iron deficiency means that your body is not oxygenated normally, which can make you feel unwell. Normal oxygenation is crucial for well-being. Unfortunately, iron deficiency is not always tested for when contacting healthcare services. This is probably one reason why this test is one of our best-selling self-tests. If you are curious about oxygen saturation we also have an oxygen meter. It is placed on the finger and measures your current oxygen saturation. It should not be confused with our iron deficiency test, but many people use it as a complement.

Here you can read about our iron deficiency test.

The most common symptoms of iron deficiency are:

• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Anxiety & worry
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Tinnitus
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Low energy

If anemia develops slowly and continues for a long time, the body adapts and symptoms may be mild even when there is a severe iron deficiency.

Who is at risk of iron deficiency?

• Women of childbearing age and girls in puberty
• Breastfeeding women
• Vegetarians and vegans
• People with chronic gastrointestinal problems

The body's ability to absorb iron also decreases with age, which is why iron deficiency is relatively common among older people. 

Iron deficiency can impair thyroid function

There is research suggesting that prolonged iron deficiency can cause impaired thyroid function, known as hypothyroidism. Iron is necessary for the body to produce thyroid hormones (thyroxine, T4, and triiodothyronine, T3), which in turn affect many bodily functions and regulate metabolism. In iron deficiency, the conversion of the amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine decreases, and tyrosine is a precursor to thyroid hormones. People with gluten intolerance also have a reduced ability to absorb iron.

Different types of iron deficiency

Iron deficiency is mainly due to having too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin, the pigment in the blood. A combination of both can also occur, and the causes often overlap. Too little iron in the blood is called iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia means that the body receives less oxygen and the heart has to work harder.

The body has reserve stores of iron, but if they steadily decrease, the body eventually becomes unable to produce enough red blood cells. The blood count falls and you may feel low, tired and pale. Additional iron is then needed.

Treatment for iron deficiency

Iron-deficiency anemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding is usually treated with iron supplements and blood monitoring. Long-term treatment is often necessary and usually continues for as long as menstruation continues.

Other people with iron-deficiency anemia often recover from the anemia after just a few weeks of treatment with additional iron. It is given in the form of iron tablets or, if levels are very low, injections. If an underlying disease is causing the iron deficiency, another treatment may be necessary.

What can you do yourself?

It is important to eat a varied diet. Fish, seafood and chicken are good iron-rich foods, as are green vegetables. Women in puberty or menopause in particular should pay attention to iron levels. The recommended intake for women of childbearing age is 15 milligrams. The corresponding level for women who are not of childbearing age and for men is 9 milligrams daily.

A good approach is to take our iron test, which measures the level of ferritin in the blood - directly related to your iron stores. You then get immediate information about whether your iron stores are satisfactory. If not, you can contact your primary care center or healthcare advice service for help addressing your iron deficiency.

What are the most common symptoms of iron deficiency?

Symptoms are often individual and your general condition can be affected by many different things, but the most common symptoms are listed below:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Lack of energy
• Irritability
• Paleness
• Mild depression
• Ringing in the ears
• Difficulty concentrating
• Heart palpitations
• Mild shortness of breath
• Impaired memory

Our best tips for avoiding iron deficiency

The following foods inhibit iron absorption and should be avoided if you have iron deficiency:

• Coffee, tea and chocolate.
• Calcium - avoid a high intake of dairy products with meals.
• Phytic acid found in the outer layer of grains.

Our best tips for getting more iron

Meat and fish are animal sources that contain iron.
Other good sources of iron include:

• Green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, arugula and spinach, both fresh and frozen.
• Nuts and seeds
• Dried fruit such as apricots
• Whole-grain products such as whole-grain bread, whole-grain pasta and brown rice
• Legumes
• Food cooked in a cast-iron pot or frying pan. Iron from the cookware may transfer to the food, although this has not been verified by any authority.

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.