Dr. Tatiana Podshipkova reported that changes in the sense of taste, such as the desire to chew chalk or eat lemons, may be an indication of iron deficiency in the body.
Podchikova said that the symptoms of iron deficiency are not limited to fatigue, but include a wide range of signs such as general weakness, drowsiness and discomfort after sleep, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, tinnitus, dizziness, the appearance of light spots before the eyes, in addition to restless legs syndrome.
She added that symptoms may also appear on the skin and hair, such as paleness and dryness of the skin, cracks at the corners of the mouth, hair loss, and brittle nails, along with changes in the sense of taste, such as the desire to chew chalk or eat lemons.
She explained that this clinical picture is associated with chronic oxygen deficiency and poor tissue nutrition, and the symptoms often develop gradually, leading many to adapt to it and consider it a normal condition.
She warned that neglecting to treat iron deficiency could worsen chronic oxygen deficiency, exacerbating conditions such as congestive heart failure, and making sufferers more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, with slower wound healing.
She also pointed out that iron deficiency poses a particular risk during pregnancy, as it may increase the likelihood of premature birth, delayed fetal growth, and postpartum hemorrhage.
