The three common situations leading to this imbalance are:
- Excess iron loss (bleeding)
- Inadequate dietary iron intake
- Malabsorption of iron due to disease of the small intestine
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, with as many as 80% of the world’s population iron deficient, while 30% may have iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron deficiency and depletion of iron stores can occur across all age groups. Groups which are commonly susceptible include children, women after the onset of menstruation, elderly people, vegetarians (especially vegans).
The terms ‘iron deficiency’ and ‘anaemia’ are often used interchangeably, however these are not interchangeable terms. Iron deficiency is only one cause of anaemia, and in the early stages of iron deficiency, anaemia is not present. Anaemia indicates more severe and longer duration of iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency results when iron requirements are not met by iron absorption from the diet and can develop gradually. Symptoms may be minimal until anaemia develops.
The three common situations leading to this imbalance are:
Reference: 1. Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). Iron Deficiency. Clinical Update. October 2015. Available at www.gesa.org.au [Accessed September 2019].
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