What are the common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

Common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include tiredness, lack of energy, breathlessness, noticeable heartbeats, paler than usual skin, and headaches.

Less common features can include tinnitus, altered taste, itch, a sore tongue, hair loss, pica, difficulty swallowing, mouth-corner ulcers, nail changes, and restless legs symptoms.

Confirmation usually requires blood testing. A full blood count can identify whether the red blood cell count is low, and further investigation may be needed to determine the cause. Management depends on the underlying cause and may include iron replacement when iron deficiency anaemia is confirmed.