NON-HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF IRON-DEFICIENCY

The relation of Fe deficiency [in humans] to symptomatic and functional defects was usually confused to some extent by the preoccupation with anemia, which may have a number of causes and in itself is simply 1 of the results of Fe deficiency. The tissue abnormalities resulting from Fe depletion may occur at an early stage in the process, but there is considerable variation from tissue to tissue and between different Fe compounds. Many of the methods previously used to study the effect of anemia were not appropriate. The high incidence of marginal Fe deficiency in the developed countries is well documented, but its significance is not known. Fe deficiency is undramatic and rarely fatal, but there is enough evidence to suggest that it is a widespread cause of metabolic malfunction and possibly of suboptimal health.