Severe Deficiency
It has long been thought that iron deficiency may be involved in depression, but there is some controversy about the severity of low iron in causing mood swings. A study by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, published in the May 1999 issue of Agricultural Research magazine, found no relationship between mood scores and signs of marginal iron levels in the blood. However, a severe iron deficiency, such as anemia, could cause fatigue and depression, accordign to Janet R. Hunt, a nutritionist and dietitian who was a researcher in the study at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota. Women who suffer from early postpartum anemia may be at increased risk for developing postpartum depression, according to a study at Pennsylvania State University published in the American Society for Nutritional Sciences in December 2003.
Symptoms
Anemia occurs when there is a reduced number of red blood cells in the blood. The cells may be smaller or they may have low content of the iron-containing protein hemoglobin in each cell. These iron-deficient reductions may exist before the actual anemia begins to develop. The body tries to produce red blood cells without an adequate supply of iron. Specific blood tests are needed to determine the disorder if patients complain about fatigue. Depression, unhappiness or withdrawal are considered to be symptoms of iron deficiency, according to Elliot Health Care. Other symptoms of iron deficiency are similar to those of depression including fatigue, excessive sleepiness, irritability, nervousness or fearfulness, racing heart, poor appetite and hair loss.
Treatment
Depression may be combated in part by eating iron-rich foods, according to "Eat and Heal" by the editors of FC
