How many people in the US have iron deficiency anemia?

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the American Medical Association, approximately 10 million people in the U.S. are iron deficient, with 5 million of those individuals suffering from iron deficiency anemia. This makes it a significant public health issue that often goes unrecognized, especially among certain at-risk populations.

Quick Summary

An estimated 5 million people in the U.S. suffer from iron deficiency anemia, a subset of the 10 million with overall iron deficiency. The condition disproportionately affects specific demographics, with women of childbearing age and older adults facing higher risks of this common but curable blood disorder.

Key Points

Prevalence: Approximately 5 million people in the U.S. have iron deficiency anemia, part of the larger 10 million with overall iron deficiency.
High-Risk Groups: Women of childbearing age, pregnant women, older adults, and certain ethnic minority groups are at a higher risk.
Absolute vs. Functional Deficiency: The body can have either low iron stores (absolute deficiency) or an inability to use existing iron effectively (functional deficiency).
Underdiagnosis: Subtle symptoms and inconsistent screening practices lead to many cases of iron deficiency and anemia going undetected.
Socioeconomic Factors: Research indicates a higher prevalence of anemia among individuals from low-income families.
Health Impact: Untreated iron deficiency anemia can lead to severe health issues, including heart problems, extreme fatigue, and compromised cognitive function.

Prevalence and Statistics of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia, a condition where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to its tissues. While the total prevalence of anemia in the U.S. is estimated by some sources to affect around 3 million people, it's crucial to distinguish between general anemia and the specific subset caused by iron deficiency. Recent studies from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reveal a more nuanced picture of iron status among American adults.

Key Findings from Recent NHANES Data (2017–2020)

An analysis of NHANES data from 2017 to 2020 provides a more detailed breakdown of iron deficiency in the U.S. adult population:

Absolute Iron Deficiency: This affects an estimated 14% of US adults, and occurs when the body's iron stores are depleted. This form is most prevalent in women under 50, with estimates as high as 34% in this demographic.
Functional Iron Deficiency: This impacts an estimated 15% of US adults. It occurs when iron is present but the body cannot utilize it effectively for red blood cell production.
Higher Risk Groups: Functional iron deficiency was found to be more common than absolute iron deficiency across all age and sex categories, except for women under 50.

Understanding the At-Risk Populations

While iron deficiency anemia can affect anyone, certain groups in the U.S. are more susceptible due to biological factors, lifestyle, and socioeconomic conditions.

Women and Adolescent Girls Women of childbearing age face a high risk of iron deficiency and subsequent anemia, primarily due to blood loss during menstruation. Recent studies have highlighted the alarming rates of iron deficiency in younger females. Pregnancy further increases iron needs, making pregnant women another highly vulnerable group.

Older Adults Adults aged 60 and older also exhibit a higher prevalence of anemia compared to other age groups. This can be caused by a combination of inadequate intake, underlying health conditions, and issues with iron absorption.

Low-Income Families Socioeconomic factors play a role, with studies showing a higher prevalence of anemia in lower-income groups. Access to iron-rich foods, nutrition education, and healthcare can all be barriers for these families.

Ethnic Minorities Data shows that certain ethnic groups face higher rates of anemia. For example, during August 2021–August 2023, Black non-Hispanic females had a significantly higher prevalence of anemia (31.4%) than other racial and ethnic groups.

Distinguishing Iron Deficiency from Iron Deficiency Anemia

It is important to understand the difference between simply having low iron stores and the progression to iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency is the state where the body's iron stores are low, but hemoglobin levels (which carry oxygen) are still within the normal range. Iron deficiency anemia, a more severe form, occurs when the body lacks enough iron to produce sufficient hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen delivery. It is a late-stage manifestation of iron deficiency.

Iron Deficiency vs. Iron Deficiency Anemia


Feature	Iron Deficiency	Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
Iron Stores	Low iron reserves (Absolute deficiency) or impaired use (Functional deficiency)	Critically low or depleted iron reserves
Hemoglobin Levels	Within the normal range	Below the normal range, indicating fewer healthy red blood cells
Symptoms	Often subtle or mild, such as fatigue or restless legs	More pronounced symptoms like significant fatigue, paleness, or shortness of breath
Stage	Earlier stage of iron depletion	Late-stage manifestation of iron deficiency
Screening	May require specific iron panel blood tests, which are not always standard	Typically detected during a routine complete blood count (CBC)

Why is Iron Deficiency Anemia Underdiagnosed?

Despite its prevalence, many cases of iron deficiency and IDA are undiagnosed or overlooked. One reason is that the symptoms can be subtle and easily attributed to other factors, such as general fatigue from a busy lifestyle. Standard blood tests may also miss iron deficiency if they do not include specific iron panels, especially before anemia develops. This is a particular issue for women, whose symptoms have historically been dismissed. The issue underscores the need for more proactive screening, especially in high-risk populations.

Conclusion

Iron deficiency anemia affects an estimated 5 million people in the United States, representing a significant portion of the larger iron-deficient population. The problem is particularly widespread among certain demographics, such as women of childbearing age, older adults, and individuals from low-income or ethnic minority backgrounds. The frequent misdiagnosis of iron deficiency as general fatigue, and the lack of standard screening before anemia sets in, means that many individuals remain unaware of their condition. Awareness, targeted screening, and improved healthcare access are critical steps to better identify and treat this common and curable condition across the U.S. population.

For more detailed information on iron deficiency and strategies for prevention, visit the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements website: Iron

Frequently Asked Questions

Women of childbearing age and pregnant women are at high risk due to blood loss from menstruation or increased demands during pregnancy. Older adults, particularly those over 60, also show a higher prevalence.

Based on 2017-2020 NHANES data, an estimated 14% of US adults have absolute iron deficiency, and another 15% have functional iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency often goes undiagnosed because symptoms like fatigue can be mistaken for other issues. Also, standard blood tests may not detect it in its early stages before anemia fully develops.

Yes, there are two main types: absolute iron deficiency, where iron stores are depleted, and functional iron deficiency, where the body has iron but cannot use it properly.

Iron deficiency is a general term for low iron stores, which may not show up on a standard blood test. Iron deficiency anemia is a more severe, later stage where low iron stores have led to low hemoglobin levels.

Studies show a clear trend of higher anemia prevalence in lower-income groups, likely due to limited access to iron-rich foods, quality healthcare, and nutrition education.

Data indicates that certain racial and ethnic groups experience higher rates of anemia. For example, Black non-Hispanic females have significantly higher prevalence rates than other groups.