Yes, low iron (iron-deficiency anemia) can indirectly cause back pain through muscle fatigue, inflammation, and nerve issues from oxygen deprivation, though it's not a primary cause like injury, and studies haven't found a direct causal link from back pain to iron levels, but iron deficiency itself can cause widespread body aches, weakness, and fatigue that might manifest as back discomfort, especially with conditions like pernicious anemia or sickle cell anemia.
A case-control study reported all serum levels of minerals including Fe were significantly different in low back pain patients compared to healthy individuals (16). A strong link between serum iron and the severity of low back pain was reported (16).
Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia may include:
Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Or it can cause you to crave non-food items like ice, dirt or paper. These are all signs of iron-deficiency anemia. The good news is that treatment can help iron-deficiency anemia.
Low blood cell counts have happened with this drug. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or if you feel very tired or weak.
Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
Iron is depleted by blood loss (heavy periods, bleeding ulcers, surgery), increased demand (pregnancy, growth spurts, intense exercise), poor dietary intake, and conditions that hinder iron absorption (celiac disease, gastric bypass, some medications, or certain foods/drinks like tea/coffee/dairy with meals). Exercise can cause loss through sweating, red blood cell damage (hemolysis), and increased needs, while poor absorption is a major factor, even with good intake.
Several treatments can be used to treat anemia. Iron supplements, also called iron pills or oral iron, help increase the iron in your body. This is the most common treatment for iron-deficiency anemia. It often takes three to six months to restore your iron levels.
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].
If iron deficiency anaemia is not treated
can make you more at risk of illness and infection – a lack of iron affects the immune system. may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs – such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure.
Possibly. 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.
Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require a blood transfusion, iron injections, or intravenous (IV) iron therapy. Treatment may need to be done in a hospital. The goals of treating iron-deficiency anemia are to treat its underlying cause and restore normal levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and iron.
Research suggests a connection between vitamin D deficiency and spinal disc problems, worsening back pain. Vitamin D not only supports bone health but also plays a vital role in muscle function.
Low iron makes you feel tired and weak because your body can't make enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells, leading to shortness of breath, pale skin, dizziness, and cold hands/feet, plus potential brain fog, brittle nails, hair loss, and strange cravings (pica) for non-food items like ice. You might also experience headaches, a fast heartbeat, and a sore tongue.
Here are three effective ways to boost your iron levels.
Great options include red meat, liver, seafood, beans, lentils, spinach and fortified cereals. Consuming vitamin C with iron-rich foods can enhance absorption, so try pairing them with citrus fruits or tomatoes.
When taking iron supplements, avoid calcium (dairy), antacids, tea, coffee, high-fiber foods, and certain medications (like some antibiotics, thyroid drugs) at the same time, as they significantly reduce absorption; instead, take iron on an empty stomach with water or juice (especially vitamin C-rich) and space interactions by 2-3 hours for best results, consulting a doctor for specific meds.
A person with anemia typically needs 7-9 hours of nighttime sleep, plus possibly short rest periods during the day. The exact amount varies based on anemia severity and individual factors.
There are many things that can lead to a lack of iron in the body. In men and post-menopausal women, the most common cause is bleeding in the stomach and intestines. This can be caused by a stomach ulcer, stomach cancer, bowel cancer, or by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
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.
Amitriptyline is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to amitriptyline or any other medicine. have a heart problem – amitriptyline can make some heart problems worse.
You may also feel drowsy or spaced out in the morning or during the day, especially if you take the amitriptyline too late at night. Side-effects may be reduced by ensuring you take the dose no later than 8 pm or by starting with a very low dose and building up gradually over a few weeks.
The older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline, imipramine and many others, and a newer group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The clinical impression was that TCAs are more effective in treating neuropathic pain.