Iron deficiency anaemia

Caroline, 32, has suffered from RLS since childhood. “I’m sure mine is due to being anaemic,” she tells Strong Women. “I’m on iron supplements now. It’s early days but I haven’t noticed a difference yet.” Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) causes poor circulation throughout the body from the lack of red blood cells, which is why people with this condition can suffer from cold hands and feet. Some studies have shown that RLS affects up to 40% of people with IDA.

Dr Shelby Harris, clinical psychologist and director of sleep health at sleep resource Sleepopolis, supposes that iron deficiency could be the reason that RLS is considerably more prevalent in women than men. “Women are more likely than men to have an iron deficiency,” she says.

In the past, my iron levels have been low enough to have me sent away from the blood donation clinic, so that link certainly sounds like a possibility.

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