was tun bei eisenmangel — what symptoms are typical?

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide. Typical symptoms include fatigue, pallor, poor concentration, shortness of breath on exertion, brittle nails, hair loss, and increased sensitivity to cold. In severe cases, glossitis (tongue inflammation), dysphagia (Plummer-Vinson syndrome), and restless legs syndrome may occur. Causes range from inadequate intake (vegan/vegetarian diets) to blood loss (menstruation, gastrointestinal bleeding) and malabsorption (celiac disease, Helicobacter pylori infection). Diagnosis is made via complete blood count (hemoglobin, MCV, MCH) and iron status (ferritin, transferrin saturation). If suspected, a physician should be consulted; direct-to-consumer tests (e.g., MyBody-X) can provide hints but do not replace medical evaluation. Treatment involves oral iron supplements (ferrous sulfate, fumarate) with vitamin C to enhance absorption. In severe cases, intravenous iron is required. Genetic testing for HFE mutations (hemochromatosis) is relevant for iron overload, not deficiency. Caveat: iron overdose is toxic; supplement only after confirmed deficiency. Evidence: well-supported by guidelines and meta-analyses.