Iron deficiency can cause a number of health problems that can affect your daily quality of life, and you may not even be aware of it. A new study reveals how many Americans deal with this problem without realizing it.
The research was published on September 24. JAMA Network Open magazine examined the medical data of more than 8,000 adults in the United States in a “cross-sectional, nationally representative study.” Scientists found that 14 percent of these adults had low iron levels, a condition known as absolute iron deficiency. An additional 15 percent had healthy iron levels, but their bodies were not using iron properly, a condition known as functional iron deficiency. According to the findings, “while absolute iron deficiency mostly affects young women, functional iron deficiency affects men and women of all ages.”
Since doctors do not usually screen for iron deficiency, this condition may often go unreported among patients. The study builds on past research that found even more alarming numbers; For example, a 2020 study found that 54.5 percent of subjects had functional iron deficiency and 11.8 percent had absolute iron deficiency.
“This is a common but underappreciated public health problem,” said study co-author Leo Buckley. NBC News. “What was unique about our study was that we were looking at ordinary people who would not otherwise be screened or tested.”
Frankly, the number of people dealing with iron deficiency is greater than one might think.
“These findings suggest that absolute and functional iron deficiency represent common public health problems,” the study concluded, concluding: “Further research is needed on the role of functional iron deficiency in adverse health outcomes and iron deficiency screening strategies.”
If you find yourself experiencing fatigue, confusion, and difficulty concentrating, it may be time to add more iron to your diet.