In a recent report on NBC News in America it was reported that almost 40% of American teenage girls and young women had low levels of iron. This was based on a study conducted by the University of Michigan Medical School who pulled data on girls and women ages 12-21 collected over the last 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends a blood test for anemia every five to 10 years for women of reproductive age, but in America, doctors don’t typically screen for iron deficiency (ferritin levels).

According to Dr Angela Weyand, the lead author of the study, symptoms of iron deficiency include:

Fatigue.
Cold extremities (hands and/or feet)
Hair loss.
Brittle nails.
Cognitive issues like brain fog.
Decreased athletic performance.
Shortness of breath with exertion.
Junk food cravings.
Headache, light-headedness.
Sleep disorders.

Menstruation was also reported to be a risk factor, although a quarter of the girls who hadn't started their periods yet had iron deficiency, the data showed.

The study also reported that the average body mass index for the entire group was 22, but those with lower BMI were more likely to have iron deficiency.

We would recommend that young women and teenagers include testing for iron deficiency as part of their regular health checks and especially if they have symptoms of iron deficiency.

This study was also reported in the Washington Post and on medicalexpress.com. Please see the links below for more information.

Iron deficiency often missed in young women, girls, research finds (nbcnews.com)

Iron deficiency is common among young women, can lead to anemia - The Washington Post

Study suggests need for iron tests in teen girls and young women (medicalxpress.com)