Iron Deficiency FAQ
What increases my risk for iron deficiency anemia?
Women of childbearing age, teenage girls and pregnant women have an increased risk of becoming deficient in iron.
Your risk for iron deficiency anemia might be increased if you experience one or more of the following:
- Heavy menstrual periods (or significant blood loss from menstruation)
- Pregnancy (higher risk of iron deficiency because of rapid growth and higher iron needs)
- A diet consistently low in iron
- A known or hidden source of bleeding within your body, such as an ulcer, a bleeding tumor, a uterine fibroid, a colon polyp, colorectal cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding
You also have an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Vegetarian athlete
- Female athlete
- Distance runner
- Celiac Disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Excessive antacid intake (which can reduce the amount of iron absorbed in the stomach)
