4 Topic Commentaries

Iron Deficiency Guidance Varies in Premenopausal Women

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  Angela Weyand, MD

  Pediatric Hematology

  •

  University of Michigan Medical School (Michigan Medicine)

  Iron deficiency is an under recognized problem with adverse impacts, but its symptoms and even those of anemia are normalized in young females. Why are we not screening for a condition that is highly prevalent, easily diagnosed, easily treated and associated with serious symptoms and increased risk of death if not addressed?

  Source
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  Nichole Tyson, MD

  Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

  •

  Stanford Medicine (Stanford University School of Medicine)

  It’s important to diagnose so we can improve the heavy bleeding, iron deficiency, anemia and fatigue these adolescents are experiencing.

  Source
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  Siobán D. Harlow, PhD

  Epidemiology (Women’s Health, Menstrual Health)

  •

  University of Michigan School of Public Health

  For up to one-third of women, menstrual bleeding can be excessive—lasting longer than eight days or having very heavy flow that requires very frequent changes of pad or tampons and may be accompanied by bleeding through one’s clothing. When we lose blood, we are also losing iron, and heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to iron deficiency. A common symptom of iron deficiency is fatigue.

  Source
• 

  Harvey Luksenburg, MD

  Hematology

  •

  National Institutes of Health (NIH)

  Women who feel symptoms of sluggishness and fatigue may be iron deficient. Even if you’ve lived with it a long time, get it checked. I’ve seen startling changes when women were put on iron supplements. Some say they’ve never felt better.

  Source