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Iron, the symptoms of deficiency and excess
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Iron within the body, deficiency or excess
The amount of iron in the body can be a problem in both deficiency and excess. Iron deficiency can cause anaemia and is very common, both with and without anaemia.
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Reasons that can cause iron deficiency
Reasons that can lead to a deficiency include low iron intake through the diet, but also the need to increase requirements, as is the case for women during their menstrual cycle, for example. Other causes of iron deficiency include intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease or coeliac disease, which cause iron malabsorption.
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Symptoms of iron deficiency
When there is an iron deficiency in the body, the most common symptoms that can occur are: pale complexion, headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, brittle hair and nails, muscle weakness, cold feet and hands.
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The blood test
When an iron deficiency is suspected or present, the doctor will carry out the necessary investigations to find out what the cause is and treat it. The basic test to start with is a blood test.
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Symptoms of excess iron
Excess iron in the body can also cause health problems. Among the diseases that this can trigger are cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes. Other symptoms that may appear include joint pain, fatigue, increased liver volume and loss of libido.
