September 25, 2024 – Nearly a 3rd of adults within the U.S. could have low iron levels, which might result in problems starting from fatigue to heart failure.
Researchers in a brand new study estimated that 7% of U.S. adults suffer from anemia, a blood disorder that could be linked to iron and is especially well-known partly due to screening while pregnant. But much more striking was the finding of this latest study that a good portion of the population could have less severe iron deficiencies, that are linked to serious health problems.
The body absorbs iron through food and may store it for times when there is just not enough iron to access immediately. The research team examined test results that show whether people have enough iron stored and whether their bodies can effectively use the available iron. If you don't have enough iron stored, you’ve got a so-called absolute iron deficiency. And if you’ve got stored iron but cannot use it, you’ve got a so-called functional iron deficiency. The study found that an estimated 14% of adults have absolute iron deficiency and one other 15% have functional iron deficiency.
The results were published this week in JAMA network openedare based on data from greater than 8,000 people whose iron levels were recorded within the laboratory as a part of the study National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey this was done from 2017 to 2020.
In addition to anemia, iron deficiency is linked to other serious health problems, including restless leg syndrome, mental and pondering difficulties, reduced physical abilities and heart failure, the authors noted. The effects of iron deficiency can significantly impact an individual's quality of life.
Routine blood tests as a part of an annual physical exam often don’t include checking iron levels unless there’s cause for concern. The out-of-pocket cost for a blood test to envision iron levels without purchasing insurance is often around $60.
“This is a common but underappreciated public health problem,” said study creator Leo Buckley, PharmD, MPH, a clinical pharmacology specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston NBC News. “The special thing about our study is that we examined normal people who otherwise would not have been examined or tested.”
Treatment for low iron levels may include changing your food plan and intravenous or oral supplements. Due to the danger of iron toxicity, taking an iron complement needs to be done under the guidance of a health care provider.