Iron deficiency doesn't directly cause weight gain, but its symptoms like fatigue and low energy lead to less activity, slowing metabolism and hindering fat burning, which can result in weight gain; it can also impact thyroid function, another cause of weight gain, while sometimes the deficiency itself can cause appetite changes.
Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia (that are not usually connected to pregnancy) include:
One way iron deficiency anaemia can impact your weight is through thyroid function and metabolism [10]. Your thyroid hormone and metabolism are responsible for helping your body burn calories, so naturally, if they are underactive, this can lead to weight gain.
Headache. Inadequate iron levels can sometimes lead to headaches, making it a cruel irony that some people also experience headaches from taking iron tablets. Luckily, this is a rare side effect.
Anemia can slow down the metabolic rate in some cases. A slower metabolism can contribute to weight gain, while a faster metabolism can lead to weight loss.
Without enough iron, your body can't efficiently carry oxygen to tissues, which impairs energy, stamina, and recovery. Energy & metabolism – Low iron often leads to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath even with light exertion. That makes exercise and daily activities harder, which can slow your weight loss.
As anemia worsens, symptoms may escalate to include:
Oral iron supplements usually start working in about 3 to 7 days. Symptoms of iron deficiency should start to improve after 2 to 4 weeks of supplementation, but your hemoglobin levels could take up to 2 months to return to normal. Common side effects of iron supplements include constipation, nausea, and stomach pain.
Common causes include heavy menstrual periods, regular blood donation, regular nosebleeds, other chronic conditions that involve bleeding (such as peptic ulcers, polyps or cancers in the large intestine), and certain medications, particularly aspirin.
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, such as nausea/vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, metallic taste, staining of the teeth, or epigastric distress. Patients may feel uncomfortable with the change in stool caliber and color to green or 'tarry black.
Iron deficiency (ID) has received increasing attention in disorders affecting sleep and wake behaviors. ID has been shown to be associated not only with RLS/PLMs [14] and arousal disorders like parasomnias [15], but also in sleep disordered breathing (SDB) [16], RSD, and in pediatric ADHD [17].
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
Iron-deficient individuals experience a loss of appetite that can be restored with iron supplementation. It has been proposed that iron influences the satiety hormone leptin; however, a direct link between iron and leptin has remained elusive.
The term "pica" describes craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value — such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice, known as pagophagia, is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear.
Anemia due to iron deficiency is a highly prevalent medical condition in women and children. Iron deficiency presents with fatigue, low mood, anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, and headache. Poor nutritional intake can be the reason of iron deficiency in underprivileged populations.
As a result, patients with leukemia often experience low hemoglobin levels. Additionally, leukemia cells use a lot of iron to support their rapid growth, which can lead to iron deficiency. Lymphoma Lymphoma, which includes both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system.
Inhibitors of iron absorption include phytate, which is a compound found in plant-based diets that demonstrate a dose-dependent effect on iron absorption. Polyphenols are found in black and herbal tea, coffee, wine, legumes, cereals, fruit, and vegetables and have been demonstrated to inhibit iron absorption.
It is important to emphasize that in patients with iron deficiency anemia, iron will need to be given for a prolonged period of time. It generally takes 2–3 months for the hemoglobin level to return to normal level.
When taking iron supplements, avoid pairing them with calcium, dairy, antacids, caffeine (coffee, tea, cola), high-fiber foods, and certain medications like some antibiotics, thyroid drugs, or Parkinson's meds, as they significantly reduce iron absorption; instead, take iron with Vitamin C (like orange juice) for better absorption, spacing other items by at least 2 hours, advises MedlinePlus, GoodRx, and Cleveland Clinic.
Iron deficiency can cause hair loss and increased hair shedding. Hair loss from low iron isn't permanent. Your hair will start to grow back once your iron levels return to normal. Oral iron supplements can help get your iron levels back to normal.
Making drinks and smoothies with iron-rich foods, like spinach, kale, and prunes can increase a person's iron intake. Vitamin C sources, such as orange and kiwi fruit juices can also benefit iron absorption. Red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin.
Warning signs of anemia you shouldn't ignore
Persistent fatigue. Weakness. Dizziness. Shortness of breath.
Research suggests that having anemia tends to make people sleep less, not more. The tendency to sleep less is associated with both iron-deficiency anemia and non-iron-deficiency anemia and has been found to occur in people of all ages, including infants, children, adults, and older adults.
Furthermore, headache and muscle and joint pain associated with iron deficiency are repeatedly considered migraine and fibromyalgia syndrome, respectively 3, 19. The multitude of symptoms is commonly associated low ferritin concentration without anemia 1, 17, 20, 21, 22.