Iron Deficiency and Anemia May Be More Common Than We Know

Low iron levels can cause fatigue and impact mental health, but
doctors often miss cases of iron deficiency and anemia. Pediatric
hematologist Angela Weyand, a clinical associate professor at the
University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, points to one
population that could be at a higher risk—young women with heavy
menstrual bleeding. In one study from a national database, nearly
40 percent of otherwise healthy adolescent women were
iron-deficient, and 6 percent were additionally anemic. Awareness
and self-advocacy could help people receive accessible and
inexpensive treatments for low iron levels. Recommended reading:
“Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US
Females Aged 12–21 Years, 2003–2020,” by Angela C. Weyand et al.,
in JAMA, Vol. 329, No. 24; June 27, 2023 What Is Implicit Bias, and
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