The body normally loses about 1 mg iron daily. Menstruating women lose an average of 30 mg of iron each month through the loss of blood and the shedding of uterine cells. Fatigue with pallor of the skin and mucous membranes occur as early symptoms, but often no symptoms occur until anemia is severe. The only way to diagnose iron deficiency is by doing a blood test. Iron requirements vary in individuals, depending on their age, sex, body size and level of activity.
More iron is absorbed by the gut in iron deficiency anemia.
Most women do not need that many calories in the diet and rely on iron supplements to boost their iron intake to the R.D.A. without increasing the number of calories they are ingesting. Since men generally eat more and require less iron, they usually do not have to concern themselves with taking iron supplements. Most iron supplements contain 30-60 mg of iron. Women who are not anemic need only one tablet per day. Three tablets daily are adequate for anemic women.