Do Low Iron Levels Cause Dizziness?

Iron is an essential nutrient, meaning your body needs it to survive. Iron is so important that the U.S started adding iron to food staples like flour and cereals in 1941. 

But getting enough iron isn't always easy, especially if you have a medical condition that can impact your iron levels. Low iron levels can lead to a host of symptoms, including dizziness. Here’s how low iron levels can lead to dizziness and what to do about it. 

Can low iron cause dizziness?

Yes, low iron levels can lead to dizziness. 

But it’s not a direct cause and effect. Low iron levels can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. And it’s the anemia that causes people to feel dizzy. Here’s how it works:

• Red blood cells carry oxygen to every part of the body. 

• But to make red blood cells, your body needs iron. 

• Without iron, you develop anemia. This means you have less red blood cells and can’t carry as much oxygen to the rest of your body. 

• This can lead to dizziness and a host of other symptoms. 

Without enough oxygen, your organs — including your brain — don’t work as well as they should. People start feeling tired and sluggish, which can sometimes lead to dizziness. 

Another reason you might feel dizzy has to do with how your body tries to compensate for low oxygen levels. To get as much oxygen to the body as possible, the heart starts beating faster. 

Dr. Sara Dost, medical oncologist at Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, notes that these palpitations “can also lead to dizziness.”

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Most people don’t have any symptoms from iron deficiency. But once that iron deficiency leads to anemia, people start experiencing symptoms like:

• Feeling tired or sluggish

• Brain fog or difficulty thinking

• Headaches

• Feeling cold all the time

• Lightheadedness

• Rapid heartbeat and palpitations

• Brittle nails and other nail changes

• Hair loss 

• Pale skin color

Children who have anemia also start having trouble at school. Studies show that iron deficiency, even without anemia, can lead to difficulty learning and long-term changes in brain function. 

What causes iron levels to drop?

There are many reasons iron levels can drop. But most of the time, the cause comes down to one of the four things listed below.

You’re not getting enough iron in your diet

This is the most common reason for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Iron exists in two forms in nature. The kind that exists in meat and fish is easy for your body to absorb. But the form that exists in plants isn’t absorbed as well. 

People who follow vegan and vegetarian diets are at highest risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia. But even if you eat meat, you can develop low iron levels, too, depending on which foods you regularly consume. 

Babies, toddlers, and young children often develop iron-deficiency anemia because they drink too much milk, which is low in iron. 

You’re not absorbing enough iron

Some people eat enough iron-rich foods but then can’t absorb enough of it. Iron gets absorbed in the parts of the intestine just after the stomach. Some medical conditions cause inflammation in the gut, which keeps them from being able to do their job, including absorbing iron. Medical conditions that can lead to low iron absorption include:

• Celiac disease

• Gastritis

• Crohn’s disease

Medications that treat reflux (heartburn) can also block iron absorption. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen can also lead to gut inflammation — and bleeding — which can block iron absorption.

You’re losing blood

If you lose blood, you also lose iron. 

Regular blood donation or even a one-time major surgery can lead to low iron levels. 

People with heavy periods are at high risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia because they have blood loss each month. People with medical conditions that cause bleeding in the gut, like ulcers or inflammation, are also at risk for iron-deficiency anemia. 

Your iron needs are higher than normal

Sometimes your body needs more iron than usual. In these causes, you can develop iron-deficiency anemia even if you’re getting the recommended amount of iron for the typical adult.

For example, you need more iron during pregnancy. You may also need more iron in your diet if you are a high-performance athlete.

How do you treat iron deficiency?

Most people don’t know they have iron deficiency until they have a blood test. So, the first step to treatment is to see a healthcare provider.

Your provider can test your iron levels and see if you also have anemia. They can help you discover what’s behind your iron levels. This will determine the best treatment options.

In addition, you’ll likely need: 

• More iron in your diet: The easiest way to get more iron is to eat more iron-rich foods. These include meat, seafood, soy, lentils, spinach, and iron-enriched cereals. For kids, it’s also a good idea to limit foods that are low in iron. Experts recommend limiting milk intake to 24 oz per day and avoiding cow’s milk before age 1.

• Medication changes: If you’re taking a medication that can stop your body from absorbing iron, your healthcare provider may ask you to switch medications. But remember, don’t stop taking medications until you’ve discussed this with your healthcare provider.

• Iron supplements: Your healthcare provider may suggest that you take iron supplements. These are oral pills you take once a day to increase your iron levels. Most people need to take supplements for at least a few months, possibly longer if they have anemia. 

• Orange juice: Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Drinking half a cup of orange juice with your iron supplements or while eating iron-rich foods can greatly boost your iron absorption.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, PhD

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing anesthesiology in a community hospital for 30 years. He has taught in the honors program at George Washington University for over 10 years and works as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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