Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Chronic Disease—Common, Important, and Treatable

Iron has many important functions related to energy metabolism. However, hemoglobin synthesis is always a priority. Iron deficiency can be caused by increased loss, insufficient intake or decreased absorption from the intestine and reduced release from depots in systemic inflammation. Anemia is a late manifestation of iron deficiency and only appears when stores are empty. Treatment with oral iron is the first choice when the intestine is healthy, and the patient is free of inflammation. Intravenous iron provides rapid, effective and safe treatment when oral treatment does not work or is not tolerated.