The Causes Of Iron Deficiency

What Are The Causes Of Iron Deficiency

Some people might simply not be eating enough iron. Others can have perfectly healthy diets but still suffer from iron deficiency due to other reasons. Here are some of the top causes of iron deficiency anemia:

Pregnancy 

Anemia is highly common during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your baby will be absorbing a lot of what you ingest, including iron. Babies need iron to develop and you need iron to function properly. This causes an iron deficiency in pregnant women, which can leave them physically tired and exhausted.
What’s more, iron deficiency may cause impaired physical and cognitive development as well as risk of morbidity in babies. So, pregnant women are encouraged to take iron supplements and modify their diets accordingly.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding 

Some women struggle with particularly heavy periods where an excessive amount of blood is lost. This is why anemia is particularly prevalent in women (about 10 percent of all women will develop a form of anemia due to their periods). Because so much blood and iron is lost during a heavy period, you simply may not be eating enough iron to replenish your stocks..

Poor Absorption Of Iron 

Some women struggle with particularly heavy periods where an excessive amount of blood is lost. This is why anemia is particularly prevalent in women (about 10 percent of all women will develop a form of anemia due to their periods). Because so much blood and iron is lost during a heavy period, you simply may not be eating enough iron to replenish your stocks..

Bleeding From The Gut

Internal bleeding in the intestines can also lead to anemia. Sometimes this is easy to spot, for example with vomiting or passing blood. However, it can also go unnoticed, as only small amounts of blood may be present in feces.
When this blood is lost, your iron levels need to be replenished again.