[Iron deficiency in premenopausal women and criteria for iron supplementation]

Currently iron deficiency is treated only when anaemia has developed. In premenopausal women a haemoglobin level lower than 7.5 mmol/l justifies the diagnosis of anaemia. Reference values for haemoglobin in women have, however, been established while excluding only the extreme iron-deficient group, in which no iron could be found in the bone marrow. Studies on iron substitution in sufficient dosage in premenopausal women recorded haemoglobin values rising up to > or = 8.0 mmol/l. Premenopausal women will benefit from iron supplementation to optimize haemoglobin values and iron stores. Their physical condition is directly proportional to haemoglobin values. When pregnancy occurs sufficient iron stores corresponding to a ferritin value of > or = 80 micrograms/l are beneficial to mother and child. There are no rational arguments to refrain from iron supplementation in premenopausal women with suboptimal iron stores.