More US adults may meet criteria for iron deficiency than doctors think

In the past, studies have suggested iron deficiencies are more widespread than doctors might think. Now, a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston corroborates that. The study from found about 14% of adults in the U.S. have an iron deficiency.

Humans produce iron in their blood to carry oxygen throughout their body. An undiagnosed iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and trouble concentrating, or even more serious symptoms like heart problems. Since doctors don’t typically screen adults for iron deficiency, the issue often gets overlooked.

There are two types of iron deficiency, absolute and functional. Absolute iron deficiency is when there are low iron levels in a person’s blood, while those with a functional deficiency do have the right iron levels – their bodies just don’t use it properly. 

Researchers studied more than 8,000 adults and found 14% had an absolute iron deficiency and another 15% had a functional iron deficiency. None of the participants researchers looked at had a health condition typically associated with iron deficiency like anemia, kidney disease, heart failure and pregnancy. 

Additionally, while doctors do frequently screen for anemia – which is when low iron causes a person to not have enough red blood cells – they say people can still have enough red blood cells while not making enough iron. 

Females are at the greatest risk for iron deficiency, especially pregnant females, but it’s relatively common among frequent blood donors, infants and children and vegetarians.

What you eat can play a big factor in whether your body makes enough iron. 

Doctors say sticking to a diet that’s high in iron-rich foods helps, as does eating foods with vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron. 

Iron rich foods include: 

• Red meat, poultry, and pork.

• Seafood. 

• Beans. 

• Leafy greens (like spinach). 

• Dried fruit. 

• Peas. 

• Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.

Vitamin C rich foods include: 

• Broccoli.

• Grapefruit. 

• Kiwi. 

• Leafy greens. 

• Melons. 

• Oranges.

• Peppers.

• Strawberries.

• Tangerines. 

• Tomatoes.