Iron Deficiency in Adults: A Review
Study Details
This new review summarised the available scientific literature on iron deficient including symptoms, risk factors and prevalence ๐
Key Findings
Here are the key findings โฌ๏ธ
Definitions ๐
โ ๏ธ Iron deficiency = low iron stores with/without anaemia
๐จ Iron-deficiency anaemia = low haemoglobin due to low iron stores
Prevalence ๐
๐ Iron deficiency affects ~ 2 billion people worldwide
๐บ๐ธ Affecting 14% of adults in the US
๐ Iron-deficiency anaemia affects ~ 1.2 billion
๐บ๐ธ Affecting 10 million people in the US
Symptoms ๐
๐ฅฑ Fatigue
๐ Irritability
๐ Depression
๐ Difficulty concentrating
๐ฆต Restless legs syndrome
๐ฆท Pica
๐ฎโ๐จ Dyspnea โshortness of breathโ
๐ตโ๐ซ Lightheadedness
๐ Exercise intolerance
๐ซ Worsening heart failure
(individuals may also be asymptomatic)
Prevalence of symptoms depend on age, comorbidities (e.g. chronic kidney disease, heart failure), and severity and rate of development of iron deficiencyโผ๏ธ
Common Causes โ ๏ธ
๐ฉธ Bleeding (menstrual, gastrointestinal)
โ๏ธ Impaired iron absorption (atrophic gastritis, celiac disease, bariatric surgical procedures)
๐ฑ Inadequate dietary iron intake
๐คฐ Pregnancy
Prevalence in Women ๐โโ๏ธ
๐ ~38% of nonpregnant, reproductive-age women have iron deficiency without anaemia
๐ ~13% have iron-deficiency anaemia
๐ During the third trimester of pregnancy, iron deficiency affects up to 84% of pregnant women
(based on data from high-income countries)
Additional Risk Factors ๐จ
๐ Use of NSAIDs
๐ฅ Inflammatory bowel disease
๐ฆ Chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. cancer)
Testing ๐ฌ
๐ฉบ Recommended for patients with anemia and/or symptoms of iron deficiency
๐ฅผ And for those with risk factors such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, or IBD
Diagnosis ๐
Iron deficiency is diagnosed by low serum ferritin (typically < 30 ng/mL) in individuals without inflammatory conditions ๐
or
by transferrin saturation (iron/total iron binding capacity ร 100) less than 20% ๐
Treatment โ
Oral iron (ferrous sulfate 325 mg/d or on alternate days) is typically first-line therapy ๐
Intravenous iron is indicated for patients with oral iron intolerance, poor absorption, chronic inflammatory conditions, ongoing blood loss, and during pregnancy ๐
Consuming quality food sources of iron (e.g. red meats, seafood) can be a useful preventative or adjunct strategy for treatment ๐ฅฉ๐
Conclusion
Iron is a key nutrient for a healthy life and for optimal performance โก๏ธ
Due to the prevalence of iron deficiency, it may well be worth getting your levels tested ๐ฉธ