Iron deficiency is most common in young children, in women during the child-bearing age, and individuals with a chronic blood loss. Whenever blood is lost, iron is lost, and if not replaced it will eventually lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Cravings for nonfood items, such as ice, clay, or starch, is common in iron deficiency. This symptom is called pica , and iron supplementation cures these cravings in some cases. Iron deficiency anemia is a common cause of ill health in the United States and in all parts of the world.
Iron deficiency has an adversely affect on the heart, causing irregular heart beat and function.
The symptoms disappear with iron supplementation. Iron deficiency may affect the ability to comprehend or understand new information. Hemochromatosis is a disease believed to be due to an inborn error of metabolism in which excessive iron is absorbed from the diet. The danger of excessive ingestion of medicinal iron is constantly present, especially as enthusiastic advertising leads the health-conscious layman to believe that iron is a body strengthener and a tonic. This may result in persons believing that the more that is taken the better for his or her health.