Simply put, without enough iron, the human body cannot work properly. Iron is required throughout the body. It is essential for the production of red blood cells, and ensuring that the heart and skeletal muscles can function effectively.3 Iron also plays a vital role in fighting off infections and illness4, maintaining energy levels4 and normal brain function.
Iron deficiency means that there is not enough iron available in the body to enable it to function properly.6
When the body's available iron stores are low (iron deficiency) it can impact almost all aspects of life, such as your metabolism, mental and physical health, work productivity and even sexual function.4,7 The World Health Organization states that iron deficiency can lead to a reduction of 30% in physical work output.8
Want to know the full effects that iron has on the body? Take a look at our Role of Iron infographic.
Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the level of iron stored in the body is so low, or non-existent, that the body can no longer make enough haemoglobin needed to develop healthy red blood cells.10 Haemoglobin is the protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues and organs throughout the body, which is essential for them to function properly.11
To better understand the meaning of different iron levels, take a look at this infographic.
There is a clinical difference between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.6 Having low iron availability (iron deficiency), doesn't necessarily mean you will develop iron deficiency anaemia. To determine whether someone is iron deficient or has iron deficiency anaemia, a blood test is performed which will look at a number of things:
- Haemoglobin level: this is the main component of red blood cells, which requires iron to transport oxygen around the body. A blood test will confirm if the level falls within the normal range expected for the person's age, sex, and physiological status (e.g. pregnancy).9 Haemoglobin alone however, cannot be used to diagnose iron deficiency.12
- Serum ferritin: measures the amount of the iron that is stored in the body.13
- Transferrin saturation (TSAT): measures how much of your stored iron is circulating in serum and available to make new red blood cells.14
What is the treatment for iron deficiency?
There are a number of ways that iron deficiency can be treated and this depends upon the level of deficiency and the medical history of the patient. Options include increasing iron in your diet, oral iron supplements or intravenous iron (with injection or infusion).7
