At-risk groups for iron deficiency include individuals with.
- Inadequate intake (in the case of malnutrition or a one-sided, low-iron diet – for example, vegans).
- Poor absorption (small intestinal villous atrophy, for example, in sprue).
- Deficient utilization (in condition after gastric resection).
- Increased demand – growth in young people and losses due to menstruation of about 15-30 mg of iron per month in women increase the need for iron
- Increased losses due to chronic bleeding, which is the most common cause of iron deficiency with 80% – gastrointestinal bleeding occurs in 70% ( for example, in ulcers, hemorrhoids, carcinomas) and genital bleeding in women (hypermenorrhea – up to 800 ml of blood loss, uterus myomatosus – up to 1200 ml of blood loss, childbirth) in 10% to 15%.
- Taking antacids containing aluminum, magnesium and calcium, as well as lipid-lowering drugs (cholestyramine), which can reduce iron absorption by up to 70% through the formation of poorly soluble iron compounds
- Women using intrauterine devices (IUD’s) without progestin – doubling of menstrual iron losses.
- Pregnant women – the mother loses approximately 300 mg (5.4 mmol) of iron, with the majority of this loss representing iron delivered to the fetus via the placenta
Women of childbearing age have a 50% higher recommended intake compared to men.
According to the data available for the Federal Republic of Germany on the supply situation with iron, about half of the women do not reach the 50% higher daily intake recommendation.
Attention!Note on the supply situation (National Consumption Study II 2008)14% of men and 58% of women do not reach the recommended daily intake.More than 75% of women are affected up to the age of 50 years.
