Simply put, without enough iron, the human body cannot work properly. Iron is required throughout the body. It is essential for the production of red blood cells, and ensuring that the heart and skeletal muscles can function effectively.3 Iron also plays a vital role in fighting off infections and illness4, maintaining energy levels4 and normal brain function.
Iron deficiency means that there is not enough iron available in the body to enable it to function properly.6
When the body's available iron stores are low (iron deficiency) it can impact almost all aspects of life, such as your metabolism, mental and physical health, work productivity and even sexual function.4,7 The World Health Organization states that iron deficiency can lead to a reduction of 30% in physical work output.8
Want to know the full effects that iron has on the body? Take a look at our Role of Iron infographic.
Iron deficiency is the main cause of anaemia.9 It occurs when the level of iron stored in the body is so low, or non-existent, the body can no longer make enough haemoglobin needed to develop healthy red blood cells.10 Haemoglobin is the protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues and organs throughout the body, which is essential for them to function properly.11
To better understand the meaning of different iron levels, take a look at this infographic.
There is a clinical difference between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.6 Having low iron availability (iron deficiency), doesn't necessarily mean you will develop iron deficiency anaemia. To determine whether someone is iron deficient or has iron deficiency anaemia, a blood test is performed which will look at a number of things:
- Haemoglobin level: this is the main component of red blood cells, which requires iron to transport oxygen around the body. A blood test will confirm if the level falls within the normal range expected for the person's age, sex, and physiological status (e.g. pregnancy).9 Haemoglobin alone however, cannot be used to diagnose iron deficiency.12
- Serum ferritin: measures the amount of the iron that is stored in the body.13
- Transferrin saturation (TSAT): measures how much of your stored iron can be used to make new red blood cells.14
Despite the serious consequences and high prevalence of iron deficiency16, it is an under-recognised condition.17,18 As a result, many people are unaware that their health and well-being are being compromised. Even among those who are aware of iron deficiency, some still cannot recognise its symptoms.19
It is because of this lack of awareness that we are focused on education about the symptoms and impact of iron deficiency. If you recognise any of the symptoms, we recommend that you speak to a healthcare professional. Take a look at the Symptom Checker to find out more about the numerous and varied symptoms.
 |
Blood loss The blood lost during menstruation (periods) means that pre-menopausal women need up to twice as much iron in their diet as men to avoid becoming iron deficient.22 Women who have particularly heavy periods are more prone to iron deficiency and should discuss this with a healthcare professional. Blood loss also contributes to the development of iron deficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).6 |
 |
Inflammation The inflammation associated with certain long-term conditions, such as IBD, CHF or CKD can reduce the amount of iron absorbed by the gut and therefore lead to iron deficiency.6 |
 |
Medications Some medications used in the treatment of CHF or CKD can lead to blood loss, reduce absorption or increase demand for iron.6 |
 |
Growth Iron is needed for the body to grow, so during times of growth, the need for iron increases. This includes pregnancy, infancy (in children less than five years of age) and adolescence.23 |
 |
Diet Iron can be found in both animal products and plant foods, but iron from animal products is better absorbed by the body.24 Foods rich in iron include red meats (liver, steak etc.), eggs, pulses, beans, nuts and seeds.8 Restrictive diets, either by choice (vegetarian or vegan diets) or due to chronic illness, can increase the risk of iron deficiency.25,26,27 |
The symptoms of iron deficiency are varied and can be similar to those of other conditions, making a diagnosis challenging.6,7 In a consultation with a healthcare professional it is important to list all of the symptoms you are experiencing; take a look at the Symptom Checker to see if you recognise any.
Once your medical history has been taken, if your healthcare professional suspects iron deficiency, they will arrange for a blood test to check the red blood cells and iron levels in your body.7 This is a simple procedure that requires a small sample of blood, usually from the arm. A laboratory will test the blood for several different things which can confirm iron deficiency, and if so, how much iron is lacking. The amount of iron required by the body varies between people, so your doctor will discuss the results with you.18
It is important that iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are diagnosed and treated, as they can have a significant impact not only on quality of life and overall functioning of the body, but also on long-term chronic conditions.2,6 If you think you may have iron deficiency, speak to your doctor. Use our patient discussion guide and Symptom Checker to help you prepare for a consultation with your healthcare professional.
What is the treatment for iron deficiency?
There are a number of ways that iron deficiency can be treated and this depends upon the level of deficiency and the medical history of the patient. Options include increasing iron in your diet, oral iron supplements or intravenous iron (with injection or infusion).7
