Iron and Iron Deficiency (cont.)
In this Article
- Iron and iron deficiency facts*
- What is iron and why do we need it?
- What is iron deficiency and why is it a concern?
- What causes iron deficiency?
- Who is most at risk for iron deficiency?
- What are the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency?
- How is iron deficiency diagnosed?
- How is iron deficiency treated?
- Can iron deficiency be prevented?
- Babies
- Young children (aged 1-5 years)
- Adolescent girls and women of childbearing age
- Pregnant women
- How much iron do I need?
- What are dietary sources of iron?
- Dietary sources of Vitamin C
- Iron overload and hemochromatosis
- Find a local Doctor in your town
How much iron do I need?
If you have already been diagnosed with iron deficiency, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about treatment. For healthy individuals, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron is listed in the following table.
| Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron by age and sex. | ||
| Age/Group | Life Stage | Iron (mg/day) |
| Infants | 0-6 months | 0.27* |
| 7-12 months | 11 | |
| Children | 1-3 years | 7 |
| 4-8 years | 10 | |
| Males | 9-13 years | 8 |
| 14-18 years | 11 | |
| 19-30 years | 8 | |
| 31-50 years | 8 | |
| 51-70 years | 8 | |
| > 70 years | 8 | |
| Females | 9-13 years | 8 |
| 14-18 years | 15 | |
| 19-30 years | 18 | |
| 31-50 years | 18 | |
| 51-70 years | 8 | |
| >70 years | 8 | |
| Pregnant Women | 14-18 years | 27 |
| 19-30 years | 27 | |
| 31-50 years | 27 | |
| Lactating Women | 14-18 years | 10 |
| 19-30 years | 9 | |
| 31-50 years | 9 | |
*This value is an Adequate Intake (AI) value. AI is used when there is not enough information known to set a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
Source: Dietary Reference Intakes, Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board.*
Patient Comments
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Iron Deficiency - Signs and Symptoms
Question: What were the signs and symptoms associated with your iron deficiency?
Iron Deficiency - Detection
Question: How was your iron deficiency detected?
Iron Deficiency - Treatment
Question: If you have an iron deficiency, what type of treatment or supplements do you take?
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Iron Deficiency - Pregnant Women
Question: If you are pregnant with an iron deficiency, please discuss how it was detected and is being treated.
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Iron Deficiency - Diet
Question: Which iron-rich foods have you added to your diet? Have you noticed a difference in the way you feel?
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