Iron Deficiency
Published: 07 March 2024
Published: 07 March 2024
Iron deficiency is the most common mineral deficiency (Balendran & Forsyth 2021), particularly in women, with one in four females estimated to have inadequate intake (ABS 2015).
What are the implications of iron deficiency, and why is it so prevalent?
Iron deficiency occurs when there is inadequate iron in the body. Iron is involved in several important bodily functions, including:
(Better Health Channel 2022)
The role of iron in oxygen transport means that sufficient iron levels are essential to ensure the body can provide enough energy for daily life (Better Health Channel 2022).
There are three levels of iron deficiency, depending on how low the body’s iron stores are:
(Better Health Channel 2022)
The body is unable to produce iron on its own and instead relies on the consumption of iron-rich foods. If iron intake is insufficient or excessive iron is lost, this can result in deficiency (Healthdirect 2023a).
The main causes of iron deficiency are:
(Healthdirect 2023a)
(Better Health Channel 2022)
Depending on the extent of the deficiency, people might experience symptoms like:
(Healthdirect 2023a; The Pines Medical Practice 2019)
Iron deficiency may also lead to pregnancy-related complications such as premature delivery or delivery of a low birth weight baby (Healthdirect 2023a).
Iron deficiency is typically diagnosed via physical examination, blood tests and the patient’s medical history (Better Health Channel 2022).
Treatment of iron deficiency will depend on the results of any investigations. There may be an underlying condition that needs to be addressed first (Healthdirect 2023a).
The patient will need to replenish their iron stores. Depending on the severity of the deficiency, this may be achieved through a variety of strategies, including:
(Healthdirect 2023a)
Note that iron supplements may cause side effects such as dark or black stools, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea (Better Health Channel 2022).
Iron deficiency should never be self-diagnosed, despite iron supplements being available without a prescription. Having excess iron in the body can be harmful or even fatal, so seeking medical advice prior to the use of supplements is essential (Better Health Channel 2022).
Iron infusion is the intravenous administration of an iron and saline solution to increase iron levels in someone who is experiencing iron deficiency. Infusion is usually considered if oral iron supplements were tried and were not tolerated or ineffective (St Vincent’s Private Hospitals 2022).
An iron infusion may cause side effects such as:
(St Vincent’s Private Hospitals 2022; The Women’s 2022)
In cases where oral iron supplements are proving ineffective, the benefits of iron infusion generally outweigh the risks (Central Coast Local Health District 2017).
It’s important to consume an adequate amount of iron. The amount of iron absorbed by the body depends on how much iron is already being stored. Generally, a healthy body will absorb 18% of the available iron from a typical Western diet that includes animal products and 10% of the available iron from a vegetarian diet (Better Health Channel 2022).
There are two types of iron that are contained in foods:
(Better Health Channel 2022; Healthdirect 2023b)
Vitamin C intake can also boost iron absorption (Better Health Channel 2022).
It’s also important to be aware of factors that may reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron. These include:
(Better Health Channel 2022)
Breastfed babies aged 0 to 6 months | 0.2 mg/day |
Formula-fed babies aged 0 to 6 months | Follow the instructions on the formula packet |
Infants aged 7 to 12 months | 11 mg/day |
Children aged 1 to 3 years | 9 mg/day |
Children aged 4 to 8 years | 10 mg/day |
Children aged 9 to 13 years | 8 mg/day |
Males aged 14 to 18 years | 11 mg/day |
Females aged 14 to 18 years | 15 mg/day |
Females aged 19 to 50 years | 18 mg/day |
Pregnant females | 27 mg/day |
Breastfeeding females aged over 18 years | 9 mg/day |
Breastfeeding females aged 14 to 18 years | 10 mg/day |
Females aged 51 years and older | 8 mg/day |
Men aged 19 years and over | 8 mg/day |
(Adapted from Better Health Channel 2022)
Question 1 of 3
Which one of the following foods is the best source of iron?