Symptoms of Nutritional Anemia

Anemia symptoms are caused by inadequate oxygen reaching important organs, such as your muscles, heart, and brain. As a consequence, your heart and lungs have to work harder to deliver oxygen to these organs.

Patients with nutritional anemia, especially mild anemia, may have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they might include:

Loss of stamina
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart beat
Paleness
Headache
Worsening of symptoms of other diseases:
- Angina (heart pain from inadequate oxygen)
- Claudication (cramping in muscles when they are being used)

In addition, people with iron-deficiency anemia may have cravings for ice or clay. People with anemia due to vitamin B ₁₂ deficiency may experience confusion, clumsiness, or even dementia . People with either B ₁₂ or folic acid deficiency may have a very smooth and sore tongue or other sores in the mouth. Those whose deficiency is due to bowel disorders may have diarrhea, unusually smelly stools, and/or weight loss.

References

American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/ .

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 16th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2004..

Revision Information

Reviewer: Kari Kassir, MD
Review Date: 09/2012
Update Date: 00/91/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.