What is iron deficiency?
Iron is an essential mineral and you need it to fire up many functions in your body, including oxygen transportation, and to boost energy levels, mental and physical health. Are you experiencing:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath?
If so, your body could be signaling that your natural iron supplies are low, also known as iron deficiency. Talk to your doctor to confirm any symptoms.
Support Iron Deficiency Day
Held every year on 26 November, Iron Deficiency Day is a global event that brings together key players to raise awareness for people living with a lack of iron resulting in iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Find out more about supporting the campaign or organizing fundraising events in your community.
Women’s Health
Women are more at risk of not having enough iron, especially during specific moments of their life such as during menstruation, pregnancy and after childbirth, all times when women may need more iron. So, it’s important for women to understand how iron levels are affected throughout their life.
Chronic heart failure
Patients suffering from chronic heart failure may also have iron deficiency, which can lead to reduced exercise capacity, poor quality of life, and increased risk of hospitalisation. That is why patients with heart failure should be regularly screened for iron deficiency.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease affects your body’s ability to absorb essential iron from food and can also result in iron loss. This may lead to iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which iron levels fall too low, hampering a healthy level of red blood cell supply.
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease patients are at greater risk of iron deficiency due to hemodialysis, and reduced iron absorption.
Symptom checker
Iron deficiency affects 1 in 3 people1, but ignoring or confusing the warning signs of iron deficiency is very common. Take our quick and easy test to pinpoint any symptoms and check whether you may have iron deficiency.
Talk to a doctor
Are you experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency. Are you worried you may have low iron levels? Get guidance on what to ask your doctor for a checkup or treatment.
- Vos, T., et al (2016). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The Lancet, 388(10053), 1545–1602.
RU-FCM-2300564 декабрь 2023