Iron deficiency: causes, symptoms & what you can do to remedy it

Let's start with the definition: what exactly is iron deficiency? Well, this deficiency occurs when there is too little iron in the blood, which affects your body in various ways.

If you find yourself in this situation, your body can initially draw on its internal iron stores. However, once these reserves are depleted, it becomes dangerous because anaemia sets in. This means that not enough haemoglobin and ultimately not enough red blood cells can be produced. Not only does blood formation falter, but several other iron-dependent bodily functions are also disrupted.

Approximately one third of the world's population is affected by iron deficiency, and it has also been found that iron deficiency without anaemia is more common in Western countries than iron deficiency with anaemia (iron deficiency anaemia) – this form affects up to 20% of the population.

Iron deficiency occurs when you consume more iron than your body has available. This can have several causes: many people develop iron deficiency because they consume too little of this trace element in their diet, while others develop this disorder due to reduced iron absorption in the small intestine. An increased iron requirement (e.g. pregnancy, sport) or increased iron loss through bleeding (e.g. severe menstrual bleeding, stomach ulcers) can also trigger iron deficiency. As a rule of thumb, you lose approximately 0.5 mg of iron per 1 ml of blood.

This brings us to another important topic: iron is considered THE trace element for women. This is not surprising, as women need more iron than men for about half their lives – from puberty to menopause – due to menstruation. But the fact is that not every woman manages to get the necessary amount. This is shown by the BIOGENA Good Health Study*: 37.7% of the women who took part suffered from iron deficiency (ferritin 30 ng/ml). In comparison, only 5.8% of men had such a deficiency.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are particularly demanding phases for women. They are also considered high-risk periods for developing iron deficiency. The reason: not only the expectant mother, but also the growing child needs a lot of this trace element during this time. In addition, the enlarged uterus and placenta must be supplied with iron. And afterwards? Even during breastfeeding, women need more iron than usual. On the one hand, the losses from pregnancy and childbirth must be compensated for, and on the other hand, the child is also supplied with iron via breast milk.

Women who are approaching menopause should also keep an eye on their iron levels. This is because hormonal changes can lead to heavy menstrual or intermenstrual bleeding, which depletes iron stores. Once menstruation finally stops (menopause), the situation for affected women usually improves and their iron requirements become similar to those of men (10 mg of iron per day).

Iron deficiency does not spare even the youngest children. During periods of rapid growth, this trace element is needed to maintain normal bodily functions and increase blood volume. In adolescents, an unbalanced diet low in iron, combined with food intolerances or an iron absorption disorder, often leads to such a deficiency later in life. Parents who suspect their child has an iron deficiency should therefore act quickly and seek professional help.

Iron deficiency and sport – this combination is also not uncommon. The reason: physical exertion and increased sweating mean that your body needs more iron. And the more strenuous the sport, the greater the loss, because your body loses around 0.5 milligrams of iron with every litre of sweat. In addition, high levels of physical activity lead to increased production of the iron-containing red blood pigment haemoglobin, which is needed for the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the muscle protein myoglobin.

How does this affect you? Especially if you do endurance or competitive sports, you may find that you are not achieving the desired training results. You should therefore have your iron levels checked regularly.

Want to have sufficient iron and energy? This is fundamentally possible even without meat. Nevertheless, people who rely on a plant-based diet often find it more difficult to get enough iron. This is also confirmed by our BIOGENA Good Health Study*. While 43.6% of mixed-diet eaters and 25.6% of flexitarians had an optimal iron supply, only 5.6% of vegetarians and 3.8% of vegans were in the optimal range. In addition, more than half of vegans (53.8%) and almost half of vegetarians (47.2%) had a clear iron deficiency (ferritin 30 ng/ml).

Energy levels close to zero? Pale Snow White complexion? Ice-cold hands? No doubt about it – these are typical symptoms that can indicate iron deficiency. But that's not all! Because iron deficiency has many faces.

Even in the early stages, you may feel particularly tired, your performance may decline and you may suffer from hair loss. If the iron deficiency progresses (stage 2), other symptoms will appear. These include dry skin, skin blemishes, cracks in the corners of the mouth, susceptibility to infections, sensitivity to cold or concentration problems.

In stage 3, your iron stores are so depleted that it leads to serious disturbances in blood formation. Not only does the number of red blood cells (= erythrocytes) decrease, but their haemoglobin content also decreases. Other symptoms of this advanced stage include pale skin, headaches, dizziness and physical and mental decline.

Do you suspect that you may be suffering from iron deficiency? If so, have a laboratory blood test carried out – this will provide clarity. But what do you need to bear in mind here?

When iron deficiency is suspected, the haemoglobin level is often measured first. This provides information about how much iron is contained in the blood. The catch: it does not reveal the overall state of your body's iron stores. For an accurate determination of iron status, ferritin levels, transferrin levels and transferrin saturation should also be checked. All these values must be within the normal range.

What many people don't know: A simultaneous iron and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause problems with diagnosis. This is because iron deficiency in the blood count can sometimes mask a B12 deficiency – and vice versa. The reason: iron and vitamin B12 are both important for blood formation, which is why the symptoms of a deficiency are similar. If a combined deficiency is suspected, more detailed laboratory tests should therefore be carried out.

Are you suffering from iron deficiency and wondering what to do now? Then it's best to consult a health expert to find out the cause. Whether it's malnutrition, heavy periods or impaired iron absorption – if you know the reason, you can take better countermeasures.

In this case, you should primarily focus on an iron-rich diet. You can also take high-quality iron supplements to replenish your stores and remedy your iron deficiency.

For the treatment of iron deficiency or even iron deficiency anaemia, you should expect it to take several weeks to months. If you are taking iron supplements over a longer period of time, regular laboratory diagnostic analysis is also recommended to ensure the correct dosage.

The amount of iron per day that is appropriate for iron deficiency varies from person to person. Consult a healthcare professional – they can assess your current status and advise you on the appropriate dosage. Current guidelines recommend high doses of bivalent iron salts (50 to 100 mg per day). However, if you have problems with high-dose iron salt supplements, you should take a closer look at low-dose, special herbal extracts (such as those found in MoFerrin® 21). Studies confirm that these can also be effective and represent an effective and well-tolerated alternative to the usual high-dose iron salts.

To remedy iron deficiency, you can choose from a variety of iron supplements, ranging from tablets and granules to liquid products. The choice depends primarily on your individual preferences. While some people prefer a tasty iron juice, others prefer tasteless, convenient capsules. Whatever you choose, make sure that the supplements do not contain any unnecessary additives.

Iron deficiency is widespread worldwide – and yet often goes unrecognised. If you struggle to get out of bed in the morning and feel like you can't perform at your best physically or mentally, you should have your iron levels checked and, if necessary, give your body a boost with more iron. This is a quick way to remedy or prevent iron deficiency. More iron means more vitality!