If you’re feeling abnormally tired or short of breath, you might be low in iron. First, stand in front of a mirror and pull down your lower eyelid. Does it look pale? As a reference, look at the lining of your mouth. The lower eyelid should be redder than that, and if it looks abnormally white or pale, you MAY be anemic. Look at your palms and fingertips and compare them to a healthy friend. Are they pale? The best way is to get a blood test called a CBC. Check your hemoglobin level, often abbreviated as Hb, and see if it’s below the normal range. Then check the MCV. In iron deficiency, it is often (but NOT ALWAYS) low, around 75. This usually means iron deficiency anemia. What causes this? That’s next!!

www.nih.gov, www.mayo.edu, www.hendrickhealth.ord