Health · Self-Checks with EVA
Iron Deficiency Risk Check
By the eva team · · 2 min read
Iron helps the body make haemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry oxygen. Low iron or iron-deficiency anaemia can cause tiredness, weakness, headaches, dizziness and breathlessness. Heavy periods can increase iron loss, but symptoms alone cannot confirm low iron. This EVA self-check helps you notice possible risk signs and decide when to ask for medical support.
1. Could I Be At Risk Of Low Iron?
Feeling tired after a busy day can be normal. However, ongoing exhaustion, weakness or low energy that does not improve with enough rest may be worth discussing with a trusted adult or healthcare professional.
2. Notice Ongoing Tiredness And Weakness
Low iron or anaemia can make you feel unusually tired or weak because your blood may not carry oxygen around the body as effectively. Mild anaemia may not always cause noticeable symptoms, so tiredness alone cannot confirm the cause.
3. Headaches Or Breathlessness Can Be Clues
Other possible symptoms of anaemia include headaches, dizziness, paler-than-usual skin, shortness of breath or noticeable heartbeats. These symptoms can also have many other causes and should not be used to diagnose yourself.
4. Heavy Periods Can Increase Iron Loss
People with heavy menstrual bleeding have a greater risk of iron deficiency because more iron is lost with the blood. Useful clues include prolonged periods, very frequent product changes, repeated leaks and feeling unusually tired or dizzy.
5. Your Food And Health History Matter Too
A healthcare professional may ask about what you eat, your periods, recent health changes and your family or medical history. Anaemia can develop when the body does not make enough healthy red blood cells or loses too many of them.
6. Only Testing Can Confirm The Cause
A healthcare professional may recommend blood tests after asking about your symptoms and risk factors. These tests can help identify anaemia and investigate whether iron deficiency or another health issue may be involved.
7. Do Not Start Iron By Guessing
Iron treatment should depend on whether iron deficiency is actually present and what is causing it. Taking iron when you do not need it can be harmful, so do not use someone else’s supplements or begin treatment without appropriate guidance.
8. Your Symptoms Deserve The Right Check
Ongoing tiredness, weakness or breathlessness especially alongside heavy periods should be discussed with a trusted adult and healthcare professional. Seek urgent help if you feel faint, have chest pain, severe breathing difficulty or cannot stand safely.