Signs and Symptoms

Patients with iron deficiency anemia may report the following:

• Fatigue and diminished capability to perform hard labor

• Leg cramps on climbing stairs

• Craving ice (in some cases, cold celery or other cold vegetables) to suck or chew

• Poor scholastic performance

• Cold intolerance

• Reduced resistance to infection

• Altered behavior (eg, attention deficit disorder)

• Dysphagia with solid foods (from esophageal webbing)

• Worsened symptoms of comorbid cardiac or pulmonary disease

Findings on physical examination may include the following:

• Impaired growth in infants

• Pallor of the mucous membranes (a nonspecific finding)

• Spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia)

• A glossy tongue, with atrophy of the lingual papillae

• Fissures at the corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis)

• Splenomegaly (in severe, persistent, untreated cases)

• Pseudotumor cerebri (a rare finding in severe cases 

Children and adolescents with iron deficiency anemia were at higher risk for the following:

Unipolar depressive disorder

Bipolar disorder

Anxiety disorder

Autism spectrum disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Tic disorder

Delayed development

Mental retardation

Often, patients can pin point when general symptoms, like fatigue and cold intolerance, began to occur (Harper).

Pica, the craving for non food items like clay, chalk, paper, or dirt, is also a result of iron deficiency anemia, and is the link between iron deficiency anemia and lead poisoning.  This can be sign of advanced iron deficiency anemia.

(11 Reasons)

Work Cited:

Harper, J. (n.d.). Iron Deficiency Anemia. Retrieved September 14, 2015.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/202333-overview#a7

"11 Reasons You're Always Tired and How to Fix It - Dr. Axe." Dr Axe. 25 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <http://draxe.com/always-tired/>.