Iron deficiency

IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. Globally, 30 % of the population is anemic. Half of these have anemia caused by iron deficiency. 1–2 % of American adults suffer from iron deficiency anemia. According to estimates, as many as 40 % of women have had iron deficiency anemia at some point during their lives. Children younger than five and women recently giving birth are at risk of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is caused by increased demand, iron loss (for example, due to bleeding or menstrual period) or insufficient intake. There is an increased demand for iron particularly during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood. Vegetarians and vegans face a significantly increased risk of developing iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency may also be caused, for example, by celiac disease, intestinal bleeding, intestinal cancer, and various other intestinal absorption disorders. Some drugs may also disrupt iron absorption and thus cause iron deficiency. These include calcium, acid reflux medication, histamine receptor antagonists (ranitidine, etc.), antacids and cholestyramine.

The levels of iron deficiency:

• Iron stores running low (functional iron level in hemoglobin remains normal)
• Early functional iron deficiency before anemia becomes apparent
• Iron deficiency anemia (the hemoglobin level plummets below normal range; there is insufficient iron to enable normal red blood cell formation)

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia:

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• A general decline in performance
• Elevated heart rate
• Breathlessness
• Humming in the ears
• Pallor
• Brittle fingernails
• Sore tongue, pain when swallowing