Anemia - Symptoms

Symptoms

Symptoms of anemia vary depending on the severity of the condition. Anemia may occur without symptoms and be detected only during a medical examination that includes a blood test. When they occur, symptoms may include:

• Weakness and fatigue are the most common symptoms of even mild anemia. Even iron deficiency without anemia can reduce working capacity in some people.
• Shortness of breath on exertion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Irritability and other mood disturbances
• Pale skin (however, healthy-looking skin color does not rule out anemia if a patient has risk factors and other symptoms of anemia)
• Iron deficiency, even at a level too mild to cause anemia, has been linked to restless legs syndrome (RLS) in some people. Some studies have reported RLS in 25 - 30% of people with low iron levels. Studies suggest, in fact, that RLS in some people may be due to impaired iron acquisition in cells that regulate dopamine in the brain. Dopamine abnormalities are known to play a role in RLS.
• Mental confusion
• Loss of sexual drive

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Unusual Symptoms

Pica. One odd symptom, (which in some cases is a cause of iron deficiency), is pica. This is the habit of eating unusual substances, such as ice (called pagophagia), clay, cardboard, foods that crunch, or raw starch. For example, in one study, half of people whose pica took the form of pagophagia (eating at least one tray of ice every day for 2 months) or eating foods that crunch (such as raw potatoes, carrots, or celery) were iron deficient. The pica often stops, particularly in children, when iron supplements are given. Pica is difficult to detect because patients are often ashamed to admit to such cravings.

Frequent Breath Holding. Studies have also indicated that children who hold their breath frequently when angry or upset, even to the point of fainting, may be iron-deficient. In one study, taking iron supplements reduced this phenomenon in 88% of treated children.

Symptoms of Megaloblastic Anemia and its Causes

Symptoms of Megaloblastic Anemia. The symptoms of megaloblastic anemia from vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiencies include not only standard anemic symptoms but also:

• Inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis).
• Inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), which involves shrinkage at the surface and edges of the tongue