iron-deficiency

Introduction

Classfication:

• absolute iron deficency defined as serum ferritin < 30 ng/mL regardless of transferrin saturation
• functional iron deficiency defined as serum ferritin >= 30 ng/mL with transferrin saturation < 20%

Etiology

• higher body-mass index associated with higher risk of functional iron deficiency
• no evidence to support dietary iron intake, food security, or alcohol use association with iron deficiency
• heart failure, chronic kidney disease
• blood loss, iron-deficiency anemia
• pregnancy

Epidemiology

• absolute iron deficiency (11-14%)*
• functional iron deficiency (15%)*

* adults >= 18 years (men & women considered together)

Pathology

• associated with iron-deficiency anemia
• iron deficiency without anemia is common in competetive athletes
• decreased physical capacity, impaired neurocognitive function
• restless legs syndrome associated with iron deficiency laboratory:
• serum ferritin < 30 ng/ml in an athlete makes diagnosis according to
• serum iron & transferrin saturation unnecessary for diagnosis*

* no evidence is presented to support this claim

Management

• oral iron replacement
  • 100 mg of elemental iron/day*
• multivitamins containing iron do not have enough iron to replace iron stores*
• weight loss in obese patients improves iron status

* no evidence is presented to support these claims

More general terms

• mineral deficiency

More specific terms

• iron-deficiency anemia