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Iron deficiency is common but can be hard to identify. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without sufficient hemoglobin, your muscles and tissues don’t get enough oxygen.

This can lead to anemia. Although there are other causes of anemia, low iron is the most common cause. The symptoms of iron deficiency may come on quickly or develop slowly, and they can affect your quality of life.

If you think you may be iron deficient, talk to your doctor. Here are 9 warning signs of iron deficiency to watch for.

1. Extreme Tiredness

Tiredness is one of the most common symptoms of low iron. Even a mild dip in your iron levels can cause fatigue.

Iron deficiency can be hard to recognize. Fatigue is a common complaint. This is especially true if you’re busy with work, family, and other responsibilities.

If your body fails to make enough hemoglobin, your muscles and tissues become oxygen-deprived. Your heart has to work harder to move oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

This can make you feel very tired, weak, or irritable. It’s hard to diagnose iron deficiency based on these symptoms alone.

2. Pale Skin

The hemoglobin in your blood cells gives your blood its red color. Low levels of iron can affect the color of your blood. Without enough iron, your skin may appear pale.

This may be evident on your face, but it can also affect your gums, lower eyelids, lips, and nails. Paleness is one of the symptoms doctors look for if they suspect iron deficiency.

Paleness is common in cases of moderate and severe anemia. If you suspect an iron deficiency, talk to your doctor. The only way to diagnose the problem is with a blood test.

3. Headaches and Dizziness

Low iron levels can lead to headaches. This symptom is more common in women. These headaches often occur with dizziness or lightheadedness.

Low levels of hemoglobin may result in less oxygen reaching the brain. As a result, the brain’s blood vessels can swell, resulting in pressure or headaches.

If you are experiencing frequent headaches without a known cause, talk to your doctor. Frequent headaches or dizziness may be related to low levels of iron in the body.

4. Shortness of Breath

Hemoglobin fuels your red blood cells and enables them to transport oxygen throughout your body. When your hemoglobin is low, oxygen levels are low as well.

When this occurs, your muscles don’t receive the oxygen they need to perform. This can affect your ability to perform daily activities, including walking.

As you try to push yourself to perform daily activities, your body needs oxygen to do its job. A lack of oxygen results in shortness of breath.

If you’re feeling short of breath performing daily tasks such as walking, working out, or climbing stairs, ask your doctor to check for iron deficiency.

5. Dry Skin and Hair

Dry skin and hair can be signs of iron deficiency. Low hemoglobin levels reduce the oxygen levels in the body. This deprives the cells that affect hair growth.

When your skin and hair are oxygen-deprived, they become dehydrated and weak. Some people with iron deficiency also experience hair loss.

Although it’s normal to lose some hair each day, excessive hair loss may be a symptom of low iron levels or anemia.

If your doctor discovers you are iron deficient, you may need to eat more iron-rich foods or take an iron supplement. There are many ways to increase your iron levels, including wearing a supplement patch.

6. Heart Palpitations

Noticeable heartbeats or heart palpitations can be a sign of anemia. If you have low levels of oxygen in your body, your heart has to work overtime to carry oxygen to your vital organs.

This can lead to heart palpitations and the feeling that your heart is pounding or beating too fast. Without medical intervention, this could lead to an enlarged heart or even heart failure.

Heart-related issues are less common than other symptoms of anemia. Heart palpitations are more common in individuals with long-term iron deficiency.

7. Swollen or Sore Tongue and Mouth

Changes to the mouth or tongue can be a sign of an iron deficit. If your tongue appears swollen, pale, inflamed, or oddly smooth, it could indicate a lack of iron in the bloodstream.

Other mouth symptoms include:

• A burning sensation in the mouth
• Dry mouth and lips
• Sores or cracks in the corners of the mouth
• Mouth ulcers

If you notice any change in your mouth or tongue, talk to your doctor.

8. Brittle Nails

Another less common symptom of anemia is brittle or fragile nails. A lack of oxygen-rich blood can also affect your fingernails.

Someone who’s iron deficient may notice their nails chipping and cracking easily. In severe cases, fingernails or toenails can take on a rounded appearance like a spoon.

This is a rare side effect of iron deficiency and is usually associated with severe cases of anemia.

9. Feeling Cold

If you find that you are cold all the time regardless of the temperature, it could be a symptom of anemia or iron deficiency. Your thyroid needs iron to function properly.

A lack of iron can wreak havoc on your thyroid and cause a variety of symptoms, including intolerance to cold. Eating an iron-rich diet or taking some form of iron supplementation can raise your iron levels and help regulate thyroid function.

The Signs of Iron Deficiency

If you think you may have an iron deficiency, talk to your doctor. The good news is there’s an easy blood test to detect it.

It’s important to understand why you’re iron deficient and identify the best ways to treat the condition. For many, an iron-rich diet, iron supplements, or iron patches are the perfect solution.

Before you go, be sure to take a look at our quality nutritional patches, created with your optimal health in mind.

Other Resources:

• The 3 Main Different Types of Magnesium.

Iron Plus Topical Patch

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Did you know that 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disorder? In addition, women are five to eight times more likely to get diagnosed with a thyroid condition than men. 

While thyroid problems are common in the United States, fortunately, there are also many possible ways to treat these conditions. In fact, you may have heard of some people using thyroid supplements. 

If you’re considering using supplements that can help promote thyroid health, keep reading to find out what you need to know. 

Is Taking Thyroid Supplements Safe? 

There seem to be a lot of controversies out there about whether or not taking thyroid supplements is safe. Considering the fact that some supplements can have ingredients that are harmful to people with certain thyroid conditions, the answer to that question is, it depends. 

While it’s great to get the nutrition you need from your diet, it’s not always possible. In these instances, taking a supplement can help your body get the nutrients it needs to function. 

If you’re planning on taking supplements for thyroid care, you need to discuss it with your doctor first. Your doctor can make sure that the supplement you’re considering won’t interact with medications or cause more problems with your thyroid. 

In addition, they’ll be able to educate you on other possible effects of supplements. 

Benefits of Thyroid Supplements

If you’re still wondering whether or not it’s even worth the conversation with your doctor, we have that answer for you, too. There are many benefits to taking supplements that aid in thyroid health. 

One: Reduce Fatigue

One possible component of a thyroid supplement is thiamine. This is a B vitamin, and it’s needed for metabolism. 

Individuals with Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease might not adequately absorb thiamine. 

In one study, patients getting treated for Hashimoto’s disease were given thiamine. Over the course of a few days or hours, there was a regression of fatigue symptoms. 

Two: Increase Thyroid Hormone Production

Zinc is required in your body to help with the production of thyroid hormones. However, for people who have reduced zinc levels, their thyroid will produce fewer thyroid hormones.

In addition, there’s a bit of a loop going on here because thyroid hormones are needed to help your body absorb zinc. 

Therefore, insufficient zinc levels could be a reason behind hypothyroidism. But, hypothyroidism can also create an acquired zinc deficiency. 

For individuals with hypothyroidism, zinc in thyroid supplements could help increase the production of thyroid hormones. 

One study on this looked at two young women in college. These women were given zinc over a four-month period. 

Researchers analyzed the parameters of the study at zero, two, and four months. Over the course of four months, both women’s zinc deficiency was corrected, and there were positive results for thyroid hormone levels as well. 

Three: Reduce Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Levels

Thyroid peroxidase or TPO is an enzyme that gets found in your thyroid gland. It helps to produce two thyroid hormones that are important, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. 

In order to produce these hormones, TPO uses an important nutrient in your body, iodine. However, antibodies can disrupt that process and keep your TPO from having the ability to use iodine. 

When your thyroid isn’t able to make enough hormones, it results in hypothyroidism. In addition, the antibodies can also cause inflammation. 

This inflammation can, over time, destroy part or all of your thyroid gland and cause it to form nodules or become enlarged. 

However, research has looked at selenium as a possible answer. Research has shown that selenium supplements can help normalize antibody concentrations. 

However, there is some risk with taking selenium supplements. The therapeutic window is very small, and taking it in excess can be toxic. Make sure you talk to your doctor about proper dosage. 

Four: Improve Iron Deficiency Anemia

Are you struggling with iron deficiency anemia and hypothyroidism? It’s possible that they’re connected, according to research.

Iron deficiency anemia could be the cause of hypothyroidism. Taking supplements with iron in them could help with this. 

However, taking too much iron can decrease zinc absorption. Iron might also interact with some thyroid medications. 

Talk to your doctor before you begin taking iron or a vitamin with iron. 

Five: Increase Vitamin D levels

Many studies are looking at possible links between vitamin D and thyroid disorders. However, one thing that has been noted is the fact that individuals with thyroid cancer and autoimmune hypothyroidism often have lower levels of Vitamin D. 

Six: Regulate Thyroid Hormone Metabolism

Vitamin A is another vitamin that plays a significant role in your thyroid. This vitamin can help regulate thyroid hormone metabolism and inhibit thyroid-stimulating hormone. 

If you don’t have enough Vitamin A in your body, thyroid disorders can become worse. One type of Vitamin A is retinoids.

It can negatively affect the metabolism of iodine. There is still more research occurring on the benefits of treating thyroid conditions with Vitamin A. 

Seven: Correct Vitamin B12 Deficiencies

Individuals with certain thyroid disorders have a higher risk of becoming deficient in Vitamin B12. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia. While a mild deficiency might go unnoticed, if it goes untreated, you could experience a variety of symptoms. 

Some of these include: 

• Pale skin
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Lightheadedness
• Vision Loss
• Nerve problems
• Mental problems (for example, depression, behavioral changes, or memory loss) 
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Gas
• A smooth tongue

Supplements that contain B12 can help to prevent and treat this type of deficiency.

Find the Right Supplement for You

Thyroid supplements can help with addressing various deficiencies you might experience. However, before starting supplements, you should always discuss them with your doctor. 

Are you ready to buy supplements that will help you? Patch MD sells supplement patches to fit your lifestyle. Start shopping with us today. 

According to the American Thyroid Association, about 12% of Americans will develop a thyroid condition. Yet, almost 60% of people with a disorder or disease are unaware of it.

Despite having symptoms, these people don’t get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Typically, physicians can reverse dysfunction with early awareness and treatment. Sometimes, a condition may require surgery. But, in other cases, a condition is easily fixed with medication like levothyroxine.

Iron deficiencies can cause thyroid conditions. The conditions, in turn, can exacerbate the iron deficiencies. To treat deficiency-related conditions, a doctor may recommend an iron plus supplement.

Yet, too many people don’t get treatment because they’re unaware of the symptoms.

This ignorance can be dangerous. The thyroid is a critical gland in the human body. As part of the endocrine system, it creates hormones that facilitate vital physiological functions.

In severe cases, low function causes myxedema: organ shutdown and coma. While myxedema is rare—roughly only one in one million patients end up in this state—it’s often fatal. 29% of myxedema patients die in the coma.

Read on to discover how this gland  works. Then, learn nine early warning signs of hypothyroidism: a low-function thyroid.

What does the thyroid do?

The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland in the endocrine system. The endocrine system regulates the processes of organ systems in the body.

It produces triiodothyronine (T3). It also produces thyroxine (T4). These hormones enable effective metabolism function. The metabolic process:

• Digests food
• Turns food into energy (like body heat)
• Regulates heart rate and breathing

At the same time, thyroid hormones interface with other hormone cycles in the body. So, some conditions can disrupt the sleep cycle. T3 is also critical to muscle and tissue growth.

When it is underactive, it doesn’t produce enough of these hormones. As a result, people with low-functioning thyroids experience disruptive symptoms.

What causes under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism)?

Hypothyroidism is the medical term for a thyroid that doesn’t produce enough thyroxine or triiodothyronine. Hypothyroidism typically has an underlying cause.

Physicians typically want to determine the underlying cause of hypothyroidism to pursue the best course of treatment. The most typical causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Autoimmune condition (Hashimoto’s disease)
• Iodine insufficiency/goiter
• Medication side-effect
• Cancer treatments
• Treatments for hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid)
• Congenital thyroid condition
• Thyroid nodules
• Pituitary gland condition (congenital or tumor)

Different underlying causes require different treatments. In a worst-case scenario, an endocrinologist might have to remove a patient’s thyroid. In these cases, a patient will have to take synthetic (pill) versions of the thyroid’s hormones as part of staying healthy.

But, if the problem is as straightforward as iodine and iron deficiencies, doctors can treat that. There’s a range of supplements and vitamin options.

If you have any of these nine symptoms, talk to a doctor. They can determine the underlying cause of your condition with some lab work.

9 Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Low Function and Hypothyroidism

There are nine critical signs that your thyroid might not be as healthy as it could be. Consider tracking your physical sensations and experiences throughout the day to find any patterns. This data can help a physician narrow down the cause of your symptoms.

1. Fatigue

Fatigue is lethargy or tiredness. Hypothyroidism can slow your heart rate, which causes fatigue. It can also make it harder for your body to take in energy from food.

In addition to physical tiredness, fatigue can impair memory. This is called “brain fog.”

2. Feeling Cold

Coldness is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Metabolism maintains internal body temperature. When it’s disrupted, your body can’t heat itself properly.

Hypothyroidism can likewise cause increased cold sensitivity.

3. Constipation

Constipation is difficulty passing bowel movements. Stools may be hard, and elimination is often painful and incomplete.

Constipation can happen when your colon’s contractions are slower or weaker than they should be. Hypothyroidism causes this colon weakness (also called reduced gut motility).

It can also impact the digestive processes that absorb water from food. Hypothyroidism can cause the digestive system to over-absorb water in the colon, which dehydrates the stool.

4. Dry Skin

Hypothyroidism causes all metabolic processes to slow down. This reduces eccrine gland secretion. Healthy eccrine glands produce sweat and other natural fluids, which maintain your body’s temperature and keep your skin moisturizer.

When hypothyroidism slows down or disrupts secretion, you get dry skin and brittle nails.

5. Hair Loss

Thyroid hormones are responsible for the growth of bodily tissues. This includes hair growth.

As hair follicle growth slows, hair thins. As dead hair falls out, there’s no new, healthy living hair to replace it. Fortunately, treating the underlying condition can reverse air loss.

6. Weight Gain

Hypothyroidism disrupts metabolism. This makes it harder to turn food into energy. Instead, excess salt, water, and fat accumulate in adipose tissue.

Hypothyroidism also increases the half-life of cortisol. At the same time, it decreases how frequently the metabolism clears away cortisol. This causes cortisol buildup.

The body stores excess cortisol in adipose tissue. The resulting stress causes people to gain weight. At the same time, fatigue from hypothyroidism makes it hard to move and exercise healthily.

7. High Cholesterol

Hypothyroidism causes high cholesterol because it slows metabolism. The body cannot process cholesterol frequently enough. Cholesterol builds up.

8. Muscle Aches, Weakness

Hypothyroidism causes muscle aches and weakness. The technical term for this is “hypothyroid myopathy.” Poor function dysregulates metabolism on a cellular level.

T4 deficiency prevents the mitochondria in muscle tissue cells from processing glucose for energy. Without these processes, muscle tissues change to become weaker, more easily injured, and slower to recover.

9. Puffiness or Swelling

Hypothyroidism can cause puffy face and tissue inflammation. It slows the production of enzymes that break down the fluids our tissues absorb. Without enough of these enzymes, fluid builds up and causes swelling.

Sometimes the thyroid itself is swollen. In these cases, hypothyroidism causes painful swallowing and hoarseness. These symptoms require urgent evaluation.

Hypothyroidism Treatments: Surgery, Levothyroxine, Iron Plus Support Supplements

If your dysfunction stems from Hashimoto’s disease, your doctor will probably prescribe T3 and T4 replacement therapy. Endocrinologists call this form of HRT “Synthroid.”

Treatment differs for patients with atrophic thyroiditis disease (a type of congenital thyroid condition). To diagnose thyroiditis, goiter, or complications from hyperthyroidism treatment, you may need a thyroid ultrasound. Treatment may include surgery, levothyroxine, and synthetic growth hormones.

Thyroid support supplements can boost thyroid health and wellness. Supplement options like Korean Ginseng and Ashwagandha can improve function. Just make sure to talk to your doctor if you take Synthroid, as some supplements can disrupt Synthroid absorption.

Maintenance for Whole-Self Health

Health and wellness encompass every organ. All our systems are interconnected. At Patch MD, discover supplements that support whole-self wellbeing.

Consider iron plus supplements. Iron improves how well your circulatory system carries oxygen in red blood cells. This improvement, in turn, gives your thyroid a boost. If you’re ready for a life with more energy and less fatigue, discover our best energy supplements today.

Other Resources:

• Modern Man Male Virility Supplements all in One Patch

Did you know that leucine was among one of the first amino acids discovered in muscle fiber and wool? Leucine plays an essential role in your body.

However, it might also have the ability to help with muscle recovery. If you’re looking to help your muscles recover more quickly after a workout, this could be the right supplement for you.

Keep reading to learn more about how leucine benefits your muscles and body.

What Is Leucine?

Leucine is one of 20 amino acids found in the human body. Of those 20 amino acids, nine are essential, and leucine makes that list.

This amino acid helps with building muscle, improving physical performance, and muscle recovery. However, studies on these benefits have been unreliable as of now.

There are also a few other things that it might do but are, as of now, unproven.

Possible leucine benefits include:

• Enhanced fat loss
• Aid in healing skin and bones
• Increase production of human growth hormone
• Aid in controlling blood sugar

Leucine Benefits

If you’re interested in using leucine as part of a post-workout recovery plan, there are a few benefits you should be aware of. Consider the following as you decide whether or not to buy leucine.

One: Builds Muscle

Many bodybuilders and other athletes use leucine because it does help with gaining muscle. There have been some mixed results when it comes to studies on this benefit.

However, one study suggested that when you pair leucine with other amino acids, it’s more effective in helping promote muscle growth. In addition, increasing the amount of protein in your diet can also help to get the most out of leucine.

Proteins contain essential nutrients and amino acids that help muscle growth.

Two: Prevent Muscle Loss

Muscle loss can occur as you age, along with many other changes. Some individuals can develop sarcopenia.

This is the gradual deterioration of your skeletal muscles. Sarcopenia is an age-related process; however, there are risk factors that can make you more likely to struggle with it, such as lifestyle and genetics.

As sarcopenia worsens, it can cause weakness and decreased stamina. This will often lead to a decrease in physical activity.

One thing that leucine can do is help to prevent muscle loss due to aging. Studies done on leucine and muscle loss show that it’s the most effective when the person is taking in enough protein.

Three: Improve Performance

We mentioned earlier that athletes and bodybuilders will often use leucine to help build muscle; however, this isn’t the only reason that they use leucine. Leucine also has the potential to help improve physical performance.

One study looked at competitive canoeists. Over a six-week period, these individuals took leucine.

The results of the study showed that the canoeists not only saw improvement in endurance but also in upper body power.

Four: Helps With Fat Loss

Leucine not only helps with building muscle but can also help you shed the extra body fat you want to get rid of. There have been several studies on this as well.

One study looked at rats who were supplemented with a low dose of leucine over six weeks. During the study, the rats who were given leucine lost more weight than the rats who did not.

Five: Helps With Muscle Recovery

Have you ever left the gym and a few hours later or the next day started experiencing muscle aches and cramps? When you work out and work your muscles harder than they’re used to it is believed that it can cause microscopic damage to the fibers of your muscles. 

This damage is what causes the post-workout soreness.

Using leucine for muscle recovery has the potential to help your muscles recover. One study looked at cyclists and how supplementing with leucine helped.

For these cyclists recovery was improved and they also experienced enhanced high-intensity endurance performance.

Six: Stabilize Blood Sugar

Have you ever been encouraged to eat carbs after you exercise? Eating carbs after you exercise can help to stabilize your blood sugar and promote muscle glycogen recovery.

Studies have looked at eating carbs and taking leucine after a workout and found that in combination, they can help to improve muscle recovery.

Seven: Human Growth Hormone Production

Taking leucine might help to increase the production of human growth hormone or HGH. There are many benefits to HGH; however, over time our bodies naturally begin to reduce the amount of HGH our pituitary glands produce.

There’s a lot of hype around HGH and the potential benefits it provides your body. However, most of the hype surrounds the fact that many people believe it might keep away signs of aging.

But, HGH plays some other essential roles as well. One of the things it does is help to build, maintain, and repair tissue that’s healthy in your brain and organs.

It can also help to speed up healing when you’re injured and with repairing your muscle tissue after you exercise. Other workout-related benefits include that it helps build muscle mass, increase exercise capacity, boost metabolism, and burn fat.

Supplement Your Muscles Today

There are many reasons to use leucine as a part of your workout routine. If you’re looking for ways to boost your workout leucine benefits might provide the answer that you need.

Patch MD wants to help you find the supplements you need to improve your life. We provide patches that help you get the vitamins, amino acids, and essential nutrients your body needs. Take the time to shop our online store today.

Other Resources:

• The 3 Main Different Types of Magnesium