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Who is at Risk?

Who is at Risk of Iron Deficiency

The amount of iron that is needed each day depends on a person's age, gender, and what type of diet they consume. The main causes of iron deficiency are increased demands, reduced absorption and/or increased loss. Some of the most at-risk groups include:

Females

Teenage girls and women who menstruate, especially if periods are very heavy, may also be iron deficient.

Teenage girls and women who lose lot of blood during their period may end up losing more red blood cells than their body can make. This can reduce the amount of iron in the body. As a result, the body will need to work harder in an attempt to make the hemoglobin that's needed to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Pregnant Individuals

During pregnancy, the amount of blood in a woman's body increases, so she needs more iron for herself and her growing baby.

Getting too little iron during pregnancy can increase a woman's risk of iron deficiency anaemia as well as her infant's risk of low birthweight, premature birth.

Intellectual development in a child can also be affected if a mother is iron deficient during her last trimester of pregnancy.

Infants

Infants, especially if they are premature or with a low-birthweight, as well as those being breastfed or given low-iron formulas.

By age 6 to 9 months, full-term infants could become iron deficient unless they eat iron-enriched solid foods or drink iron-fortified formula.

Children

Children and adolescents are more at risk of iron deficiency because their iron intake does not always meet their body's high demand for it. When a child is growing rapidly, more iron is needed.

In addition to possibly affecting a child's physical and mental health and development, iron deficiency can lead to anaemia and can also put children at a higher risk for lead poisoning and infection.

Athletes

Elite and recreational athletes who are involved in regular intensive training programmes can be at risk of developing iron deficiency.

Vigorous physical activity stimulates an increase in the number of red blood cells and small blood vessels, increasing the physiological demand for iron.

Iron requirements are highest for endurance athletes training at high intensity. Other reasons include heavy sweating or blood loss.

The Elderly

Iron-deficiency is the second most common cause of anaemia in the elderly. Anaemia may be caused by one or more factors, such as chronic gastrointestinal blood loss caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastritis, ulcers and other more serious conditions.

Older persons may also become iron deficient because of inadequate absorption of iron.

People who often donate blood

Donating blood and platelets removes iron from the body.

It is important that your body has enough iron to make new blood cells, replacing the ones lost through blood donations, so it is recommended that individuals who donate blood and platelets frequently should take an iron supplement.

People with certain medical conditions

Some conditions may increase your need for iron. These include bleeding problems, burns, certain intestinal diseases, cancer, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as peptic ulceration and vascular malformations, dialysis (particularly hemodialysis), or even heart failure.

Certain medications

Some medicines, such as those used to increase your red blood cell count, may also lead to iron deficiency.

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause internal gastrointestinal bleeding leading to iron deficiency. Proton pump inhibitors, used to control acid reflux, can also prevent your body from absorbing enough iron.

Vegetarians and Vegans

People who do not eat meat, poultry, or seafood need almost twice as much iron as the recommended daily allowance.

This is because our bodies don't easily absorb the iron in plant foods (non-heme iron). This non-heme iron also blocks the absorption of the iron in animal-based foods (heme iron).

Learn More About Iron

Ferrous Forte® Iron Supplement Range

The iron that people get from food sources is not always readily absorbed by the body. The good news is that the Ferrous Forte® range has two distinct combination iron supplements to help you maintain healthy iron levels.

Choose the Ferrous Forte® iron supplement that is right for you.