Iron deficiency in women and men – causes and symptoms

Iron is one of the most important micronutrients for blood formation and the transport of oxygen in the blood. When iron levels are low, this can have many consequences. Women have a slightly higher iron requirement than men: 16 milligrams per day compared to 11 milligrams. In addition, the causes of iron deficiency differ between women and men. 

Find out what differences exist between women and men, what the most common causes are, and how to recognize an iron deficiency.

Causes of Iron Deficiency in Women 

Women are more frequently affected by iron deficiency. Due to their menstrual period, they lose an average of 30 milligrams of iron per month, as a large portion of the body's iron is found in the blood. Women with heavy periods can lose more than 40 milligrams. 

Additionally, iron requirements increase during pregnancy. Pregnant women have a daily requirement of 27 milligrams — almost twice as much as usual. The reason: more blood is needed to supply the baby adequately. If too little iron is consumed through diet, the risk of deficiency increas

How Does Iron Deficiency Occur in Men? 

Iron deficiency in men is rare. However, studies show that men, especially as they age, tend to be less well supplied: researchers in Europe found an increasing risk of anemia (iron deficiency anemia) from the age of 65. 

The most common cause of iron deficiency in men is tiny bleeds in the gastrointestinal tract. These can occur, for example, in cases of chronic gastritis – such as that caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. In general, however, this can also be a cause of iron deficiency in women.

Other Causes of Iron Deficiency 

In addition, there are other reasons for iron deficiency that occur in both women and men. 

• Silent inflammation: If the body is in a state of chronic inflammation, it produces a specific iron-inhibiting substance (hepcidin). Iron deficiency can therefore result from silent inflammation. 
• Medications: Some active ingredients inhibit iron absorption. For example, acid blockers used for heartburn reduce stomach acid production. However, stomach acid is important to release iron from food. 
• Sports: Athletes can lose iron due to tiny muscle bleeds and ruptured blood cells after intense training. Iron deficiency is especially common in competitive sports. 
• Meat-free diet: Meat provides highly bioavailable iron. That’s why vegans and vegetarians often have low iron levels. 
• Coffee, tea, milk, and soft drinks: Coffee in particular is known as an “iron thief.” Tannins from coffee and tea bind iron in the intestine, preventing its absorption. Calcium from milk and phosphates from cola and similar beverages also inhibit iron absorption.

Symptoms: Recognizing Iron Deficiency 

An iron deficiency can only be clearly diagnosed by a doctor through a blood test. The symptoms are usually nonspecific, meaning they cannot be attributed to a single micronutrient deficiency with certainty. 

A good indicator in a blood test is stored iron (serum ferritin). The normal range for women is between 23 and 110 micrograms per liter of blood serum. For men, it is 34 to 310 micrograms per liter. Therefore, men generally have higher iron reserves than women. 

However, the signs of iron deficiency do not differ. Iron deficiency symptoms in women and men are therefore: 

• Paleness and dark circles under the eyes 
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness 
• Feeling of weakness and exhaustion 
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, especially during exertion 
• Heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat

Conclusion: Iron Deficiency in Women and Men 

Iron deficiency can have different causes depending on gender. In women, blood loss due to menstruation and an almost doubled requirement during pregnancy are common reasons. In men, iron is usually lost in older age due to minor bleeding caused by inflammation in the stomach. 

The symptoms, however, are similar. Too little iron in the blood can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. 

For basic support, Mulit-in-form® line supplements contain iron dosages tailored to daily needs. However, if a deficiency is confirmed by a blood test, the dosage should always be determined by a healthcare professional.

Suitable FormMed Supplements

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