﻿ Iron Deficiency: Learn About Causes and Symptoms  Iron and
Iron Deficiency  Iron and iron deficiency facts*  *Iron
deficiency facts medical author:    • Iron deficiency is the
most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of
anemia in the United States.   • Iron deficiency is due either
to increased need for iron by the body or a decreased absorption
or amount of iron taken in.   • Signs of iron deficiency include
fatigue, decreased work and school performance, slow cognitive
and social development during childhood, difficulty maintaining
body temperature, decreased immune function, and glossitis (an
inflamed tongue).   • Blood tests establish the diagnosis of
iron deficiency.   • Dietary changes or iron supplements are
possible treatments for iron deficiency.  What is iron and why
do we need it?  Iron is a mineral needed by our bodies. Iron is
a part of all cells and does many things in our bodies. For
example, iron (as part of the protein hemoglobin) carries oxygen
from our lungs throughout our