30% of the world's population suffers from iron deficiency – This makes iron deficiency one of the most common deficiencies. An iron deficiency leads to the human body not producing enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, the red blood pigment, is found in red blood cells. Without this substance, the body cannot bind and transport enough oxygen.
How you can recognize if you are suffering from iron deficiency, what causes it, and further information on the topic of iron deficiency can be found in this article.
Iron deposits in the body
Of the three to four grams of iron in the body, a portion is bound to transferrin, the transport protein. Another portion is found in hemoglobin, the red pigment of red blood cells.
How much iron does the body need?
A balanced diet should contain 10 to 15 milligrams of iron. However, the intestine can only absorb five to ten percent of it. Depending on gender, age, and life situation, the body loses varying amounts of iron that need to be replaced. After menopause, men and women lose about one milligram daily. Menstruating individuals lose up to three milligrams of iron during menstruation. The body of breastfeeding women also requires a higher amount of iron during lactation.
The German Nutrition Society recommends the following amounts for iron intake:
- Infants:
- Children up to 15 years:
- Adolescents/Adults male:
- Adolescents/Adults female:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women:
Causes of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency occurs when the iron requirement is greater than the intake. It can arise, for example, when not enough iron is absorbed through food, or when the body's iron absorption is impaired. An increased iron loss can also be the cause of iron deficiency.
In Europe, the most common cause of iron deficiency is chronic blood loss. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, for example, due to gastritis, is one of the most common causes. Menstruation is also a frequent reason for the deficiency.
A meat-free or overly one-sided diet can also lead to deficiencies. Infants, young children, alcoholics, vegetarians, and vegans are most affected.
If the body's iron absorption is impaired, the body cannot properly absorb iron from food. Triggers for this could be, for example, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.After a partial removal of the stomach, impaired iron absorption can also occur. Long-term use of medications against excessive stomach acid production can hinder iron absorption. A high consumption of black tea or coffee and rhubarb also leads to inhibited iron absorption.
Symptoms
Our body needs iron to transport oxygen. Additionally, the body requires iron for blood formation and other metabolic processes. If the body is not supplied with enough iron, this is reflected, among other things, in the following complaints:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Shortness of breath
- Cracked skin and chapped corners of the mouth
- Brittle nails
- Brittle hair
Consequences of iron deficiency
In case of iron deficiency, the body depletes its iron stores. This continues until all reserves are exhausted. Until then, symptoms such as fatigue may occur. Afterward, iron deficiency anemia develops.
The body cannot function properly with iron deficiency – this also affects the immune system. In addition to symptoms of iron deficiency, such as brittle nails and hair loss, iron deficiency can also lead to increased susceptibility to infections.
With iron deficiency, not enough oxygen can be transported, the heart beats faster, and breathing is accelerated. The body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen in this way. During physical exertion, this can lead to palpitations and shortness of breath. If the body has to do this over a longer period, it can lead to heart muscle weakness.
Iron deficiency can also promote postpartum depression.During pregnancy, the body has an increased need, which is at 1,000 milligrams of iron. Additionally, there is often blood loss during and after childbirth. Postpartum depression can also be triggered by hormonal or social circumstances, lack of sleep, or anxiety.
In child development, iron deficiency can also lead to developmental disorders. Iron deficiency in the unborn child can lead to premature births, low birth weight, or growth delays. In growing children and adolescents, it can lead to concentration disorders, impairments in brain development, or a disrupted menstrual cycle.
Prevent and treat iron deficiency
Those who belong to the risk group should have their blood values checked regularly. Particular attention should be paid to the ferritin level, transferrin saturation, and CRP value.
If there is an iron deficiency, more iron should be incorporated into the diet. The bivalent iron found in meat is particularly well processed by the body. However, if a dietary change is not sufficient because, for example, anemia is already present, an iron therapy may be necessary.
There are various options. On the one hand, iron can be supplied to the body through tablets or suspensions (oral iron therapy), and on the other hand, through iron infusions (intravenous iron therapy).
Larger amounts of iron in the form of dietary supplements should not be taken without medical advice, even if iron supplements are available over the counter.The body cannot excrete excess iron and stores it in the organs. When the iron stores are full, it can lead to organ damage.
How can one diagnose an iron deficiency?
If there is a suspicion of iron deficiency, it should be discussed with a doctor. The medical history is important, in which lifestyle and dietary habits, previous illnesses, and medication intake should be recorded. Additionally, the duration and severity of menstrual bleeding should be inquired about, and in older individuals, also about bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or in the urinary and reproductive organs.
The hemoglobin level (Hb level) indicates the concentration of the red blood pigment (hemoglobin). If this value is too low, anemia, or a deficiency of red blood cells, is present.
Ferritin (storage iron) is a water-soluble protein. It stores iron and protects the cells from free iron in the body. This substance is found in the cells of the liver, bone marrow, spleen, and muscles.
It indicates how well the body's iron stores are filled. If the value is too low, iron deficiency anemia may be present. If the body is currently fighting an infection or a chronic disease is causing inflammation in the body, the ferritin level can remain high even though there is an iron deficiency.
To determine if there is an inflammation, the CRP level is also measured. The CRP level is the parameter for C-reactive protein.
The transferrin saturation indicates how much iron the transport proteins are loaded with. With the help of transferrin, iron is transported through the bloodstream from the intestinal cell from cell to cell. If the saturation is too low, there is too little iron in the body. Transferrin saturation can also indicate iron deficiency in cases of inflammation. For the value to be highly meaningful, the blood should be drawn in the morning on an empty stomach.
After that, the search for the cause begins. To rule out bleeding, the stool must be tested for blood. A gastrointestinal endoscopy may also be necessary if there is still suspicion of bleeding. For women, a gynecological examination might also be beneficial.
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Who is most frequently affected by iron deficiency?
In Europe, approximately 5-10% of the population is affected by iron deficiency. Women and children are most frequently affected. It occurs in 20% of women of childbearing age. During menstruation, the body loses between five and 80 ml of blood monthly. Between 2.5 and 40 ml of iron is lost in the process. During pregnancy, the iron requirement doubles.
In the female body, blood volume increases, and consequently, the amount of iron needed also increases. The additional iron requirement is needed, among other things, for the continued normal circulation of the body, for the fetus, the placenta, and the umbilical cord. Therefore, during pregnancy, one should also avoid substances that restrict the absorption of iron. Pregnant women who previously had heavy menstrual bleeding or several closely spaced pregnancies are at risk for iron deficiency.
Vegetarians and vegans are also at risk for iron deficiency.This is because iron from meat is more easily absorbed. Plant-based iron is transported with other metals (zinc, magnesium, calcium), while animal-based iron is transported separately. However, the iron intake from plant sources can be increased up to four times with vitamin C.
People with pre-existing health conditions also have a higher risk of iron deficiency. People suffering from kidney diseases, heart problems, or tumors, for example, usually have a functional iron deficiency. The iron present in the body cannot be used by the body. Additionally, high-performance athletes also have an increased risk of developing iron deficiency.
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