Other less common causes of iron deficiency include:

Children who drink more than 16 to 24 ounces a day of cow's milk (Cow's milk not only contains little iron, but it can also decrease absorption of iron and irritate the intestinal lining causing chronic blood loss.).

Vegetarians, vegans, and other people whose diets do not include iron-rich foods (Iron from vegetables, even those that are iron-rich, is not absorbed as well as iron from meat, poultry, and fish.).

People who have undergone bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass operations.

People with gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease (sprue), inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease.

People who have undergone major surgery or physical trauma.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those who have recently given birth.

Women who menstruate, particularly if menstrual periods are heavy.

The following groups of people are at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia: Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. Iron from these old cells can also be recycled by the body. When red blood cells are no longer able to function (after about 120 days in circulation), they are re-absorbed by the spleen. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow. The iron is then released into the blood stream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails. doi:10.7471/CT.2014.Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Treatment of iron deficiency anemia induces weight loss and improves metabolic parameters. The treatment of iron deficiency without anaemia (in otherwise healthy persons).

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The impact of maternal iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia on child's health. NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia. Anemia in relation to body mass index and waist circumference among Chinese women. Impact and management of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women's health. Mirza FG, Abdul-kadir R, Breymann C, Fraser IS, Taher A. Iron and the female athlete: a review of dietary treatment methods for improving iron status and exercise performance.

Are anti-nutrients harmful?Īlaunyte I, Stojceska V, Plunkett A. Disorders associated with malabsorption of iron a critical review. Iron status of vegetarian adults: a review of literature.

A 'one-stop' screening protocol for haemoglobinopathy traits and iron deficiency in Sri Lanka. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2015.1.8Īllen A, Perera S, Perera L, Rodrigo R, Mettananda S, Matope A, Silva I, Hameed N, Fisher CA, Olivieri N, Weatherall DJ, Allen S, Premawardhena A. Iron deficiency: new insights into diagnosis and treatment. Iron deficiency without anemia - a clinical challenge.

Rbc levels low