Anemia, particularly iron deficiency anemia (IDA), doesn't directly cause a specific mental illness but significantly increases the risk and severity of conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and cognitive dysfunction, potentially worsening existing psychiatric issues due to low iron affecting neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine), reduced brain oxygen, and impaired brain function. Symptoms like fatigue and low mood overlap, and severe cases can even be linked to psychosis or delusional disorders, highlighting the importance of treating the underlying anemia.
Iron deficiency can make the difference between making you feel at the top of the world or downright sluggish. In addition, it is blamed for poor mental health such as causing anxiety and depression in people with lower iron levels.
Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat, called arrhythmia. With anemia, the heart must pump more blood to make up for too little oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure. Death.
Grading of anemia, according to the National Cancer Institute, is as follows: Mild: Hemoglobin 10.0 g/dL to lower limit of normal. Moderate: Hemoglobin 8.0 to 10.0 g/dL. Severe: Hemoglobin 6.5 to 7.9 g/dL[1]
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
Pernicious anemia has been associated with various psychiatric manifestations, such as depression, mania and psychosis. Psychiatric symptoms can sometimes occur without hematological and neurological abnormalities and can be prodromal of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Anemia is more than just a physical condition. It can significantly impact cognitive function and mental health. The lack of adequate oxygen delivery to the brain can lead to cognitive decline and behavioural changes. Early detection and treatment of anemia are crucial for preventing these effects.
Warning signs of anemia you shouldn't ignore
Persistent fatigue. Weakness. Dizziness. Shortness of breath.
Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia may include: Being pale or having yellow "sallow" skin. Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy. Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activity.
Autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Cancer, including lymphoma and Hodgkin disease. Long-term infections, such as bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), HIV/AIDS, lung abscess, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Foods That Block Iron Absorption
Several other authors have also found an association between iron deficiency anemia and poor cognitive and motor development and behavioural problems [6, 10, 11]. It has also been seen that the severity of these changes is proportional to the severity and duration of anemia [22, 23].
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.
Anemia can lead to reduced hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. While it may not directly cause brain fog, it can make concentrating difficult for you due to inadequate oxygen supply to the brain.
Transfusion should also be considered for patients with hemoglobin levels < 7 g/dL with associated warning signs and symptoms of organ dysfunction, such as dyspnea, precordial pain, tachycardia, hypoxia, or orthostatic hypotension.
The Takeaway. Hemoglobin levels of 5 g/dL can be dangerous. Lower than normal hemoglobin levels indicate anemia. One of the best ways to prevent iron deficiencies is to make sure your diet has enough iron. Severe iron deficiency can cause dangerous long-term health effects without treatment.
Types of Cancer that Cause Anemia
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 anemia worsens, symptoms may escalate to include: Feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Blue discoloration in the whites of the eyes. Brittle nails.
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.
Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age. It's common for family and friends to notice these changes.
Dizziness, irritability and loss of concentration
Feeling irritable, dizzy or losing concentration quickly could be due to iron deficiency. Iron helps your blood deliver oxygen around the body, and feeling irritable or dizzy may be a sign that your brain is not getting enough oxygen.