WHY IS IRON IMPORTANT FOR THE BODY?
Iron is involved in a wide variety of metabolic processes, including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, and energy production2
In the human body, it is needed for the proper functioning of many systems, including the heart, muscles and red blood cells. It also plays a vital role in the immune system3, the development of the brain4,5 and cognitive function6.
Iron is a fundamental mineral needed to produce hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency indicates a condition in which iron levels are below the minimal threshold.
If iron levels fall too low and are not treated, the body is unable to produce an adequate amount of hemoglobin and healthy red blood cells, a condition called Iron deficiency anemia, which results in unpleasant symptoms that affect the quality of life.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY IRON DEFICIENCY?
Iron deficiency with or without anaemia affects people suffering from chronic diseases, such as chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease or inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as pre-menopausal and pregnant women, and even children. It also affects patients undergoing surgical or medical treatments.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IRON DEFICIENCY?
Iron deficiency worsens with debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, lack of energy and decrease of physical activity.
Despite its high occurrence and its potentially serious consequences for many patients, iron deficiency remains an under-diagnosed and under-treated condition Iron levels are routinely assessed through a blood test that shows iron parameters such as serum iron, iron saturation and serum ferritin (a protein that helps to store iron in the body). Healthcare professionals can diagnose iron deficiency based on the interpretation of these parameters.
NEW WHO GUIDELINES ON IRON DEFICIENCY DETECTION
The WHO published new guidelines to help the detection of iron deficiency and iron overload. These guidelines provide global, evidence-informed recommendations on the use of indicators for assessing iron status and application of the use of ferritin concentrations, an indicator of iron storage.
Download the PDF to find out more.
CHRONIC HEART FAILURE
What is chronic heart failure?
Chronic heart failure is a serious life-threatening condition where the heart is damaged or weakened and cannot pump enough blood around the body 7 and, as a consequence, tissues and organs may not get all the oxygen and nutrition they need.7,8
What are the risks associated with iron deficiency?
Iron plays a major role in cardiac and skeletal muscle, as an essential component of energy production and many other cellular processes.9,10 Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure is associated with increased fatigue, breathlessness and reduced exercise capacity, poorer quality of life, increased heart failure hospitalization and increased mortality.11-13
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
What is chronic kidney disease?
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is relatively high among the adult population, with a prevalence of up to 13%14. Chronic kidney disease is defined as either kidney damage or decreased kidney function for 3 or more months.16
Hypertension, diabetes and heart failure are the main contributing risk factors for developing CKD. The occurrence of CKD is also increasing worldwide as the population ages. Although CKD cannot be reversed, medication is often used to treat associated complications and to slow down further kidney damage.
Why are patients with CKD at risk for Iron Deficiency?
Iron deficiency in CKD arises from a combination of poor dietary iron intake, impaired absorption of iron by the gut, and greater iron losses, particularly among CKD patients treated with haemodialysis.14,15
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
IBD is an auto-immune condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes inflammation of the gut. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).17 In the UK and USA, around 1 in 250 people have IBD.18,19 The exact etiology of these diseases is unknown and it is thought to be multifactorial, involving smoking, genetics and previous infections.20
Why are people with IBD at risk from Iron Deficiency?
In IBD, the inflammation in the gut leads to both bleeding and reduced iron absorption. For this reason, iron deficiency is frequently associated with IBD.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are highly widespread among women, particularly those suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding, or who are pregnant, or in the postpartum period.21
Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy bears risks for the foetus, such as low birth weight and developmental delays.22 Iron deficiency without anaemia affects up to 33% of menstruating women in Europe.22 Symptoms are often nonspecific, however can include fatigue, irritability, hair loss, poor concentration, palpitations, and dizziness. In severe cases of iron deficiency anaemia, tachycardia, ankle edema, and heart failure may arise.22
