Normal iron levels for women
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Normal Iron Levels for Women
Recommended Daily Iron Intake for Women
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iron varies by country and physiological status. In the United Kingdom, the RDA for menstruating women is 14.8 mg, while for non-menstruating women, it is 8.7 mg. In the United States, the recommendations are slightly higher, with 18 mg for menstruating women and 8 mg for non-menstruating women 1. These recommendations are designed to meet the iron needs of most women, considering the iron lost during menstruation.
Dietary Iron Intake in European Women
A comprehensive review of dietary iron intake among women of reproductive age in Europe revealed significant variability across different countries. The median iron intake ranged from 7.6 to 19.0 mg/day, with most countries reporting intakes below 15 mg/day. For instance, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden reported median intakes between 7.6 and 9.9 mg/day, while countries like Croatia and Portugal reported higher intakes, ranging from 15.9 to 19.0 mg/day 2. Despite these variations, a significant proportion of women in Europe have dietary iron intakes below the recommended levels, contributing to low iron status in many women 2.
Iron Stores and Serum Ferritin Levels
Iron status in women can be assessed using serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. A study of 1,359 Danish women found that median serum ferritin levels increased with age: 38 µg/L in 30- and 40-year-old women, 54 µg/L in 50-year-old women, and 84 µg/L in 60-year-old women. Notably, 17.2% of 30- and 40-year-old women had depleted iron stores (serum ferritin < 15 µg/L), while this percentage decreased to 1.6% in 60-year-old women 3. Hemoglobin levels also showed a slight increase with age, with median values of 137 g/L in younger women and 140 g/L in older women 3.
Iron Deficiency and Anemia
Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) are prevalent among women. In Central Norway, 15.1% of women were found to be iron deficient, and 4.2% had IDA, using a ferritin cut-off of 12 mg/L and hemoglobin cut-off of 120 g/L 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a serum ferritin threshold of <15 µg/L for diagnosing iron deficiency in healthy women, but some studies suggest a higher threshold of <25 µg/L may be more appropriate 9.
Iron Loss During Menstruation
Menstrual blood loss is a significant factor contributing to iron deficiency in women. On average, healthy women with normal menses lose about 1 mg of iron per menstrual cycle, whereas women with menorrhagia (excessive menstrual blood loss) can lose between 1.6 and 8.7 mg per cycle 10. This substantial loss can lead to depleted iron stores and increased risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
Conclusion
Normal iron levels for women are influenced by dietary intake, age, and menstrual blood loss. While the recommended daily intake varies by country, many women do not meet these recommendations, leading to low iron stores and increased risk of iron deficiency and anemia. Regular monitoring of serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels can help in early detection and management of iron deficiency, ensuring optimal health and well-being for women.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Dietary Iron Intake in Women of Reproductive Age in Europe: A Review of 49 Studies from 29 Countries in the Period 1993–2015
In Europe, 61-97% of women have a dietary iron intake below 15 mg/day, contributing to low iron status in many women.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous JournalIron stores in 1359, 30- to 60-year-old Danish women: Evaluation by serum ferritin and hemoglobin
Serum ferritin levels increase in 50-year-old women and remain stable in 60-year-old women, with iron deficiency anemia occurring in 2.3% of 30- and 40-year-old women and 1.1% of 50- and 60-year-old women.
Observational StudyAVAILABLE DIETARY IRON INTAKES OF A SELECTED SAMPLE OF PRE- AND POSTMENOPAUSAL CANADIAN WOMEN.
Dietary iron intakes of pre- and postmenopausal Canadian women are similar, with no significant differences observed in total dietary iron, heme, and non-heme iron intakes.
Iron status among 3005 women aged 20–55 years in Central Norway: The Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (the HUNT Study)
Optimal hemoglobin values in iron-replete premenopausal women should be w125-130 g/L, as iron supplementation can improve endurance capacity, verbal learning, and memory in non-anemic women.
Serum Iron and Hemoglobin Values of 275 Healthy Women.∗
Serum iron levels decrease with age in healthy women, but this decrease is not accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin values or a correlation with menopause status.
Observational StudyIron requirements in menstruating women.
New iron requirements for adult women and teen-agers have been increased to 2.84 mg/d and 3.21 mg/d, respectively, with optimal bioavailability in a Western-type diet at 15%.
Observational Study
Highly CitedPhysiologically based serum ferritin thresholds for iron deficiency in women of reproductive age who are blood donors
A higher ferritin threshold of 25 g/L is needed for iron deficiency in female blood donors aged 20 to 49 years, compared to the WHO guideline of 15 g/L for healthy women.
Observational StudyIron-dependent erythropoiesis in women with excessive menstrual blood losses and women with normal menses
Women with excessive menstrual blood losses (menorrhagia) lose five-to-six times more iron than healthy women with normal menses, potentially increasing their risk of developing iron-deficient anemia.
Observational Study
Rigorous Journal