12 possible warning signs of anemia
The headline “12 Silent Symptoms of Anemia You Shouldn’t Ignore” is a little misleading because anemia can be mild and symptom-free at first. When symptoms do occur, they can be subtle and overlap with many other conditions.
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NHLBI, NIH
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Possible signs include:
Persistent tiredness or low energy
Unusual weakness
Pale skin or pale lips/gums
Shortness of breath, especially with activity
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Headaches
Fast or noticeable heartbeat/palpitations
Cold hands and feet
Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
Brittle nails or hair loss
Restless legs
Craving non-food substances, particularly ice (called pica)—a clue especially associated with iron deficiency.
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Mayo Clinic
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An important point
These symptoms don’t prove that you have anemia. Anemia has many causes, including iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, blood loss, chronic kidney disease, inflammation, and inherited blood disorders.
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NHLBI, NIH
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Diagnosis generally requires a blood test, commonly including a complete blood count (CBC); if iron deficiency is suspected, ferritin and other iron studies may also be checked.
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NHLBI, NIH
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Don’t start taking iron simply because you’re tired. Too much iron can be harmful, and iron-deficiency anemia can sometimes result from hidden blood loss that needs to be investigated.
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Mayo Clinic
If you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or a very rapid/irregular heartbeat, seek urgent medical attention rather than assuming it’s simply anemia.
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