Study Finds 29% of U.S. Adults Have Iron Deficiency Without Anemia

U.S. revealed that 14% had absolute iron deficiency while 15% had functional iron deficiency. The study was published on September 24, 2024, in JAMA Network Open.

@NBCNews reported that the results suggest nearly 1 in 3 Americans may have an undiagnosed iron deficiency that can lead to fatigue, brain fog and difficulty concentrating. Health information was examined from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 2017 and 2021 from 8,021 adults. The average age of the 8,021 NHANES participants was 48.

None of the 8,021 participants had anemia, kidney disease, heart failure, or were pregnant. ” Buckley added that what is unique about the study is that researchers were looking at regular people who would not otherwise have been screened or tested. Doctors don’t typically screen adults for iron deficiency.

They frequently screen for anemia in routine blood tests. People can have enough red blood cells but still have an iron deficiency that leads to symptoms. Dr.

U.S. Eisenberger added that with the tremendous prevalence of iron deficiency, so many people can’t do their best. ” Eisenberger noted that many people have had iron deficiency for years and years but their doctors have missed it, ignored it or just didn’t know what to do about it.

He said treating iron deficiency is one of the most satisfying things because people’s quality of life markedly improves.

Buckley doesn’t believe everyone should be screened. He suggests that doctors focus on people with iron deficiency symptoms, such as fatigue and brain fog, and those at high risk for deficiency, such as pregnant women. The biggest risk factor for iron deficiency is being female.

Pregnant women need 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of additional iron. Low iron levels in a pregnant woman have been associated with long-term cognitive impairment in children, small size at birth and early delivery.

Bleeding during menstruation can leave women and girls iron depleted, especially among those who have heavy periods. The rates of iron deficiency between men and women are more similar after the age of menopause. Both women and men can develop functional iron deficiency if they have an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Vegetarian and vegan diets can leave people short on iron. The best food source of iron is red meat, which contains heme. Good dietary sources of iron other than meat include seafood, shellfish, beans, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, raisins, apricots, and iron-fortified foods such as cereals.

Iron deficiency can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract or colorectal cancer. Functional iron deficiency can be a marker for bad health such as heart failure.