One in five Austrian women affected by iron deficiency

One in five women in Austria suffers from an iron deficiency, though as symptoms are often similar to those of depression diagnoses can be difficult to make, experts said at a press conference Thursday.

The experts, from doctors network Eisencheck (iron check), said the symptoms such as fatigue, poor concentration, and sleep disorders make it important to let physicians aware there is a problem, particularly as iron deficiency is one of the most common deficiency-related conditions in the world.

"Iron is of vital importance," said Bernhard Angermayr, a specialist in internal medicine based in St. Poelten. Its main function is the binding of oxygen in red blood cells, and should this not occur, the cells lack energy, and those affected feel poorly and struggle through life, he added.

In some cases iron deficiency can even carry over into anaemia, which can lead to heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and eventually collapse, said general practitioner Sabine Lahnsteiner.

Men are seldom affected by iron deficiency, with women experiencing it particularly more frequently due to menstruation. Many women thus "live life on the backburner," said Graz-based doctor Yvonne Steiner.

Women need iron particularly during pregnancy, she added, as the body must produce 30 percent more blood to nurture the child.

Steiner said as iron is not produced by the body and must be obtained from food, vegetarians and vegans are also often afflicted by deficiencies, as iron derived from meat sources is better-processed by the body.

Other options in case of deficiency are tablets or juices that can artificially add iron to the body, and also the administering of iron supplements directly into a vein, as through an infusion or injection. Endit