Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of deficiency

The most common complaint in iron deficiency is extreme tiredness and fatigue. It is often worst in the afternoon, and can be there even after a full night’s sleep.

Other common symptoms include shortness of breath, a fast or pounding heartbeat, restless or aching legs, mental fogginess, dizziness and a craving for ice.

Many people also notice hair loss, ridged nails and a lower sex drive. In severe cases, iron deficiency is linked with depression, anxiety and frequent infections.

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Woman working from home on a laptop, looking tired and fatigued

Symptoms of long Covid, B12 deficiency and iron deficiency

Many symptoms overlap. These lists compare symptoms reported for each condition.

Long Covid

Source: nhs.uk website

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Palpitations
  • Fainting
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Brain fog
  • Pins and needles
  • Joint pain
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Tinnitus
  • Nausea, loss of appetite
  • Bloating, abdominal pain
  • Postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure on standing), POTS
  • Cough
  • Change in taste
  • Fever

Pernicious anaemia

Source: Pernicious Anaemia Society website

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness, fainting, vertigo
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Brain fog, decreased mental concentration
  • Paraesthesia: abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking (‘pins and needles’)
  • Burning legs and/or feet
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Tinnitus
  • Nausea, loss of appetite
  • Diarrhoea, stomach problems
  • Postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure on standing), POTS
  • Sensory loss (loss of taste, smell or hearing)
  • Fever
  • Numbness in hands and feet, reduced skin sensation
  • Impaired fine finger movements
  • Balance problems, loss of sense of position
  • Hair loss
  • Glossitis (pain, redness and swelling in the mouth and tongue)
  • Headache

Iron deficiency

Source: Patient survey

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness, fainting
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Brain fog
  • Pins and needles
  • Pain in muscles and joints
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Tinnitus
  • Nausea, loss of appetite
  • Bloating, abdominal pain
  • Postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure on standing), POTS
  • Hair loss
  • Headache
  • Restless legs
  • Pica