June 17th, 2025
Iron Deficiency: The Overlooked Epidemic — And A Simple Solution
Introduction
Iron deficiency is becoming an increasingly significant health issue worldwide, now affecting nearly a quarter of the global population. However, it's often missed in routine healthcare screening. This is largely because the key diagnostic test - a ferritin blood test - isn’t typically part of standard bloodwork testing. Even when ferritin is measured, the threshold for low iron may be set too low to catch the problem early.
A team of Yale researchers, led by Dr. George Goshua, are advocating for change. In a recent study, they modeled different screening strategies using ferritin levels, and found that annual screening using a higher ferritin threshold (25 micrograms per liter instead of the current standard of 15) improved patient outcomes. “This is a problem that’s actually pretty easy to solve,” says Goshua. “We know exactly what iron does, and we know what deficiency looks like.”
“This is a problem that’s actually pretty easy to solve,” says Goshua. “We know exactly what iron does, and we know what deficiency looks like.”
- Dr. George Goshua, Yale University
Iron is an essential component of haemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen to cells and tissues. Symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, mood changes, and shortness of breath, are often ignored or normalized. However if left untreated, the condition can worsen over time, eventually leading to anemia and other serious health complications.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, additional symptoms of iron deficiency may include:
● Abnormal paleness or loss of color of the skin
● Irritability
● Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
● Sore or swollen tongue
● Enlarged spleen
● Abnormal cravings, such as ice or dirt
Fortunately, iron deficiency is both detectable and highly treatable, often with simple oral treatments or intravenous iron supplementation. Earliy detection could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people - especially for those who are underweight as well as pregnant women, who face heightened risks when iron levels are too low. As the medical community reconsiders guidelines for iron deficiency care, studies like this are pushing to change the view on iron deficiency and finally give this overlooked issue the attention it deserves.
While over-the-counter oral iron supplements remain a common treatment, it’s worth noting that iron is naturally present in the herbs used in Essiac. Burdock, Sheep Sorrel, Indian Rhubarb and Slippery Elm each contain natural sources of iron. You can read more about the vitamins and minerals contained in Essiac ingredients at https://essiactruth.org/.
To read more on this article, visit https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/why-screen-for-iron-deficiency-its-common-consequential-and-curable/
And to read further on iron deficiency, visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/irondeficiency-anemia