The typical American diet provides 5 to 6 mg of iron for every 1000 calories consumed. Since many women eat fewer than 2000 calories a day, it can be difficult for them to meet their iron needs. Although iron deficiency anemia is common, only a health care provider can accurately make this diagnosis. Many of the symptoms of anemia are the same as with other nutritional deficiencies, and there are different causes of anemia. Too high an iron level can lead to zinc and copper deficiency and can cause iron overload.
Some people have a rare, genetic disease, hemochromatosis, in which they absorb too much iron.
If a person prone to hemochromatosis takes iron supplements, he or she can build up harmful iron stores. This can be just as harmful as too little iron. Since men do not lose as much iron as women, hemochromatosis is more prevelent in men. In the U.S., one in 500 men have anemia, while one in 250 men are prone to hemochromatosis. If you want to know your iron level, a simple hemoglobin test can be performed at the health centers, and your health care provider can talk to you about any costs associated with this test.