Iron Deficiency Test

Anaemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children and pregnant women. WHO estimates that 42% of children less than 5 years of age and 40% of pregnant women are anaemic.” – World Health Organisation

Anaemia due to insufficient iron in the body is common in children and women of all ages but most commonly in women who still have their periods (at least 20% suffer from iron deficiency).

Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when blood red cells in the blood do not contain enough haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is created from iron. Without haemoglobin, we are unable to transport oxygen around the body. This is why iron deficiency anaemia can make you feel tired.

Low iron in the body can be due to:

• Not enough being eaten (this can occur when people don’t eat enough red meat or pulses)
• Not enough being absorbed (this can occur in vitamin C deficiency or coeliac disease)
• Too much iron is lost in the blood (this can occur with a heavy period or bowel cancer)
• Inflammation in the body (this can occur with many chronic illnesses)