Iron is a crucial mineral that is responsible for several vital roles in your body. If you’re stripped of this key nutrient, you can develop iron deficiency anaemia.
While iron tablets and iron-rich foods could help top up your levels, you need to identify the condition first.
Dr Janine Bowring, a naturopathic doctor, took to her TikTok channel, to outline three signs of iron deficiency on your hands.
The doctor explained that clues could be hidden in the texture and shape of your nails.
Speaking on the channel, she said: “So if you’re noticing your nails are very brittle, they are breaking all the time, maybe they even have a spoon shape, that can be an indication of an iron deficiency.
“So that’s something definitely to get checked with your doctor.”
According to a paper, published in the QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, indented nails, also known as koilonychia, affect around 5.4 percent of people with iron deficiency.
The paper explains: “It is thought to occur due to the upward deformation of lateral and distal portions of pliable iron deficient nail plates under mechanical pressure.”
Apart from changes in your nails, iron deficiency can cause the following red flag signs:
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Shortness of breath
- Noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- Paler than usual skin
- Headaches.
The NHS recommends seeing a GP if you are experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia.
Fortunately, Dr Bowring also explained what supplements and iron-rich foods are the best at boosting your intake of the essential mineral.
She said: “My tip here is to increase your iron-containing foods so things like meat – great for iron, figs, dates, blackstrap molasses – also a good source of absorbable iron.
“If you need to supplement with iron, make sure it’s a whole-food iron supplement, meaning that it’s something like iron bisglycinate in a whole-food complex like spirulina – great for proper absorption.”
