Men

Adult men can, and do become iron deficient but not nearly as much as children and women, for obvious reasons: no growth spurt and no menstrual blood loss.

However, men who participate in endurance sports on a competitive level may have a higher need for iron due to iron lost as part of strenuous exercise or footstrike haemolysis in runners. The highest loss of iron per day in top class athletes can be up to a staggering 2mg!

Whilst for women iron deficiency is largely contributed by the monthly cycle for men iron deficiency may be due to an underlying medical condition such as peptic ulcers, astric ulcer, haemorrhoids or other forms of gastrointestinal bleeding. Because iron deficiency in men is not as common as with women, symptoms may not be related to iron deficiency at first.

If you experience symptoms of iron deficiency please consult your health care professional for further examination and advise.

1 Ruston D, Hoare J, Henderson L, et al (2004) The National Diet and Nutrition Survey: adults aged 19-64 years. Volume 4: Nutritional status (anthropometry and blood analytes), blood pressure and physical activity. The Stationery Office. London.