Iron Deficiency

What type of nutrient is iron?

A micronutrient, specifically a trace mineral

What is the difference between a macronutrient and a micronutrient?

Macronutrients: include carbohydrates, protein and fat/lipids and are required in relatively large amounts.
Micronutrients: are required in much smaller amounts and include vitamins and minerals.

Where does iron fit within human nutrition?

Micronutrient → mineral → trace mineral

Why is iron considered an essential nutritiont?

Because the body requires it for normal physiological functioning and cannot simply function normally without an adequate supply

What can happen when there is too much iron this body?

Iron overload can be highly toxic and is associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adverse health outcomes

Approx how much iron is lost from the body each day?

Only around 1-2mg/day is normally lost

What are the main sources of iron loss?

Sweat, blood loss, menstruation (1-2mg of iron lost each day), gastrointestinal bleeding.

What are the four major factors that can contribute to an iron deficiency?

Increased iron loss
Increased iron demand
Decreased iron intake
Decreased iron absorption

What is the recommended iron intake for girls and adult females

girls - 15mg/day
boys - 18mg/day

Why can exercise affect iron status

Excercise can contribute to iron loss through haematuria, sweating, hamolysis, and gastrointestinal bleeding, while increased inflammation can also cause transient increases in hepcidin

What happens during iron depletion (IDNA)

Iron stores in the bone marrow, liver and spleen become depleted

What happens during iron-deficient erythropoiesis?

Erythropoiesis diminishes because the supply of iron to the erythroid marrow is reduced.

What happens during iron-deficient erythropoiesis?

Haemoglobin production falls, resulting in anaemia

What is the basic progression from adequate iron status to iron-deficiency anaemia?

Optimal iron status → iron depletion → iron-deficient erythropoiesis → iron-deficiency anaemia.

What three clinical indicators are used in the lecture to classify iron status?

Haemoglobin (Hb),
Serum ferritin
Transferrin saturation.

What are the lecture's values for iron depletion?

• Hb: >115 g/L

• Serum ferritin: <35 µg/L

• Transferrin saturation: >16%

What are the lecture's values for iron-deficient erythropoiesis?

• Hb: >115 g/L

• Serum ferritin: <20 µg/L

• Transferrin saturation: <16%

What are the lecture's values for iron-deficiency anaemia?

• Hb: <115 g/L

• Serum ferritin: <12 µg/L

• Transferrin saturation: <16%

Which indicator reflects iron stores?

Serum ferritin is the indicator used in the lecture alongside Hb and transferrin saturation to assess iron status.

Consequences of Inadequate iron status

Decreased quality of life, mood states, excercise performance, work productivity, decreased academic performance.