A recent study reveals that nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States may suffer from iron deficiency.
These deficiencies exist even without the presence of health conditions like anaemia, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.
The study, published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, highlights that iron deficiency is a widespread and underrecognized public health problem in the United States. Nearly 14% of adults in the study met the criteria for absolute iron deficiency, while 15% were found to have functional iron deficiency.
Dr. Leo Buckley, the study’s lead author and a clinical pharmacy specialist, stressed the importance of distinguishing between absolute and functional iron deficiency. He mentioned that functional iron deficiency is fairly common across all ages and sexes.
In older adults, chronic conditions can interfere with iron absorption, leading to a higher likelihood of iron deficiency.
Certain groups, such as menstruating women, pregnant individuals, children, vegetarians, and frequent blood donors, are more prone to iron deficiency.
Interestingly, only about 33% of adults with absolute iron deficiency and 14% with functional iron deficiency had a medical reason to be screened for it, suggesting that many go undiagnosed unless specifically tested.
Dr. Jacob Cogan, assistant professor of medicine, noted that iron deficiency is likely more common than appreciated. He mentioned that many patients with iron deficiency might never return to normal iron levels.
Strange also recommended a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and red meat as a preventive measure against iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency is a critical public health issue that affects a large portion of the US adult population.
Recognising and addressing iron deficiency through better screening and awareness can improve overall health outcomes.
