Abstract

A REVIEW: IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN WOMEN

Yati Gaur*, Assem Babbar, Ankit Sharma, Prashant Mathur

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Abstract

One of the most widespread dietary issues in the world, iron deficiency disproportionately affects women and children. Mild iron deficiency refers to the depletion of iron reserves, marginal deficiency refers to the production of many iron-dependent proteins being compromised while haemoglobin levels remain normal, and iron deficiency anaemia refers to the decreased production of haemoglobin and decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues. Given the effects of iron deficiency without anemia on neurocognition, it is alarming when early stages of iron insufficiency are not recognised and treated. Only 5–10% of the daily need for iron comes from dietary sources; the majority is obtained from the recycling of senescent erythrocytes by macrophages. The physiological state, iron absorption inhibitors, and iron absorption enhancers all have an impact. Obesity and other inflammatory situations can cause iron to be held in enterocytes and macrophages, leading to hypoferremia as a tactical defence strategy to limit iron availability to pathogens. Due to iron loss in menstrual blood, premenopausal women typically have low iron status. A contentious claim contends that the iron deficiency phenotype that protects against infection has evolved as a result of evolutionary forces, despite the fact that women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency and its effects.

Keywords: Anemia, Cognitive Function, Hepcidin, Iron Deficiency without Anemia, Haemoglobin.