Am I Iron Deficient?
Learn about the signs and risks of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia
The symptoms of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can include tiredness, trouble breathing, and chest pain. Left untreated, ID and IDA can lead to serious health problems.
Iron is essential to a healthy body
We need iron for many of our organs and systems to function, including our immune system, muscles, and brain. Our bodies use iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
What do iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia feel like?
Common symptoms of ID and IDA include:
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Trouble breathing
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy
- Chest pain
- Restless leg syndrome
- Dry and rough skin
- Hair loss
- Cravings for nonnutritive substances such as ice, dirt, or starch
- Cold hands and feet
- Poor concentration or memory
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, how to get tested for ID and IDA, and whether ACCRUFeR may be able to help.
Talk to your doctorIdentifying iron deficiency early is critical
Without proper treatment, ID can progress to IDA and eventually lead to serious, long-term health complications, including:
- Heart and lung conditions
- Worsening chronic conditions
- Reduction in the effectiveness of medications
- Organ damage
- Increased health risks to the mother during pregnancy
Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women can also create risks for fetuses and newborns.
Who is most at risk for developing iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia?
ID and IDA can happen when:
You have a condition that is making it difficult for your body to absorb iron (e.g., Crohn's disease).
Your body is losing iron through blood loss (e.g., heavy periods).
Your body is going through changes that require a lot of iron (e.g., pregnancy).
Your diet doesn’t provide enough iron (e.g., some vegan or vegetarian diets).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people in certain populations receive regular testing for ID and IDA.
Nonpregnant Women
- Women with no risk factors: Test for IDA every 5-10 years throughout the childbearing years.
- Women with risk factors such as uterine fibroids or heavy periods: Test for ID every year.
People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Outpatients with active disease: Test for IDA at least once every 3 months.
- Patients in remission or with a mild form of the disease: Test once every 6 months to a year.
Pregnant Women
Test for IDA with a complete blood count in the first trimester and again at the end of the second trimester.
People with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Patients with stages 3-5 CKD or on dialysis: Test for IDA every 3 months.
- Patients in CKD stage 5 hemodialysis using hemoglobin concentrations: Test for IDA monthly.
In the United States, approximately 10 million people have iron deficiency and approximately 5 million have iron deficiency anemia.
Learn more about people with increased risk for ID and IDA.
Women are at risk of ID and IDA because they are likely to experience at least one condition that can lead to iron deficiency.
These conditions include:
- Heavy periods
- Pregnancy
- Uterine fibroids
- Childbirth
- Menopause
Up to 75% of women worldwide may have iron deficiency anemia in their lifetime.
The prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia is high among patients with inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Other conditions and factors associated with ID and IDA include:
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Nutritional deficits
- Restrictive diets
- Heart failure
- Surgery
- Cancer
Up to 90% of patients with IBD (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) have iron deficiency.
Up to 65% of patients with CKD have iron deficiency.
Where should my iron levels be?
In all studies, ACCRUFeR helped patients with iron deficiency anemia increase their iron levels and iron stores. Talk to your doctor about reaching the normal levels below.
Lab Markers* | Normal Levels | |
|---|---|---|
| Women | >12 g/dL |
Men | >13 g/dL | |
Serum Ferritin8 | No inflammation | >30 µg/L |
Inflammation | >100 µg/L | |
| TSAT28 | 20% to 50% | |
*Benchmarks may vary based on underlying health conditions. This chart is for reference only and is not a diagnostic tool. Your doctor may offer other markers depending on your specific health conditions
What to do if you think you’re iron deficient
If your doctor thinks you have ID or IDA, they will run blood tests to measure your hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels. If the results show that you have ID or IDA, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you.*
- ACCRUFeR® (ferric maltol). Your doctor may prescribe ACCRUFeR, the only oral iron medication that is FDA-approved for adults with iron deficiency.
- Oral iron supplements. Your doctor may advise you to take oral iron supplements. Supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure ID or IDA.
- Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation. If your iron levels are very low or you've struggled with the side effects of traditional supplements, your doctor may advise you to receive IV iron infusions. Identifying and treating ID or IDA early and sticking to treatment can help you avoid the need for IV treatment.
*Depending on the progression of your ID or IDA, some of these measures may be more effective indicators than others. For example, low ferritin and TSAT levels are clearer indicators of ID. Low hemoglobin levels may not be detected until ID has progressed to IDA.
Explore a treatment for ID and IDA that has been proven effective
ACCRUFeR achieved FDA approval based on three clinical trials that established its safety and ability to effectively increase iron levels.
Benefits of ACCRUFeR