Iron Deficiency Diagnosis and Treatment

Overview and Clinical Manifestations

• Iron deficiency represents a spectrum ranging from iron depletion to iron-deficient erythropoiesis to iron-deficiency anemia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2

Diagnosis and Risk Factors

• The American College of Physicians recommends measurement of serum hemoglobin or hematocrit levels as the first screening step for iron deficiency 3
• Individuals with gastrointestinal conditions affecting absorption, and those with vegetarian or vegan diets, are at higher risk for iron deficiency, as stated by the American College of Physicians 3

Treatment Approaches

• The American College of Sports Medicine recommends oral iron supplementation as first-line therapy for most patients with iron deficiency, with a typical dosage of ferrous sulfate 60-120 mg of elemental iron per day 3
• The American College of Sports Medicine suggests alternative dosing of 100 mg/day in divided doses for 8-12 weeks, and considers slow-release ferrous sulfate formulations for better tolerability 4
• Supplementing with vitamin C can enhance iron absorption, according to the American College of Sports Medicine 4
• The recommended daily allowance for iron is 18 mg/day for women 19-50 years, 27 mg/day for pregnant women, and 22+ mg/day for athletes or highly active women, as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine 3, 4