B12 and Iron Deficiency in the Elderly

one of the commonest nutritional deficiencies in man. According to the NHANES studies of 1999–2000, there was a 4% incidence of iron deficiency and a 2% incidence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in males over the age of 70 (1). In females of a comparable age, it was estimated that 7% were iron deficient and 2% actually had IDA. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in both developed and underdeveloped countries and, worldwide, nearly one-half billion individuals suffer from iron deficiency. [An excellent review of iron metabolism in man can be found in (2); and an in-depth overview of all aspects of iron metabolism can be found in (3).] It is important to recognize iron deficiency since iron deficiency interferes with learning in children and cognition in adults. In the pregnant woman, iron deficiency can lead to low birth weight infants. Importantly, in the elderly, iron deficiency is frequently a sign of underlying pathology.