Iron deficiency
Why do we need iron?
- For the formation of blood cells and red blood pigment.
- For the transport of oxygen in the body and energy metabolism.
- For the formation of healthy hair and nails
- For the thinking ability of our brain.
How common is iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency is the most common deficiency disease worldwide – the WHO puts the proportion of the population affected at 30% . In Germany, the Professional Association of Internists (BDI) estimates that around 8 percent of people are affected.
In the group of women of childbearing age, the BDI even states that 50% of women are iron deficient.
There are also discussions within the medical profession as to whether the normal value in the laboratory for the iron storage form (ferritin) is not set much too low. The large range of this normal range between approx. 10-20 ng/ml in the lower range and approx. 200-250 ng/ml in the upper range suggests that the iron requirements of healthy people vary greatly. An "iron deficiency" should therefore not be determined solely on the basis of laboratory values.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT IRON THERAPY
- Only about 10% of the iron contained in food is absorbed by the body.
- The iron contained in meat (HEME iron) can be absorbed up to 20-30%, while the iron from plant sources can only be absorbed up to 1-10%.
- Nevertheless, vegetarians can also cover their daily iron requirements with a balanced diet.
- Iron loss: Blood loss always leads to iron loss. So-called unnoticed microbleeds, e.g. from the gastrointestinal tract, can also be the cause of iron deficiency and must be ruled out if necessary.
