Question:
Do I have a vitamin deficiency?

Has anyone heard of eating ice as being a vitamin deficiency? I eat ice all day long. I am driving everyone around me nuts, not to mention tht I am freezing to death but I crave ice. I thought I heard somewhere that eating ice could be a sign of a vitamin deficieny. Has anyone else had this craving or heard anything on the topic???    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 27, 2001)

November 27, 2001
Yes, craving ice can be a sign of iron deficiency. I was anemic as a child and the doctors said that there were/are several signs of iron deficiency: craving ice or large volumes of lettuce, an urge to lick metal venetian blinds and/or a compulsion to eat the cigarette ashes out of the ashtray. I know it sounds gross, but it's true. Something about the crunchiness of the ice and lettuce can drive a person to eat it uncontrollably if they are lacking in iron. I would have my blood levels checked if I were you. You definitely don't want to walk around this winter in an anemic state...anemia also compromises the immune system. Good Luck!
   — Jenper

November 27, 2001
Craving ice can also be the sign of a thyroid problem. Have you had this checked? I used to go through 3 glasses of ice a day until my thyroid problem was diagnosed!
   — Terissa R.

November 27, 2001
Hi I work in the medical field and the craving of ice usus=ally coinsides with lack of iron or anemia. Call you general doctor for a routine blood check.:)
   — blossomivy

November 27, 2001
I too had that problem and didn't know why I was craving the ice so much. It wasn't until I tried to donate blood that I found out my iron was low. It has slowed down some since my surgery for some reason but I still love that ice.
   — Kelly C.