Finally- New Anemia Guidelines
Newsflash- women should have different standards for anemia than men since they bleed every month. Looks like we are gaining some ground although research specifically focused on women is still behind.
If you haven’t seen this news, I am sharing the new information in my newsletter this week.
“(WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2026) — Iron deficiency is one of the most common health conditions in the world, but many people live with symptoms for months or years before receiving a diagnosis. To address this critical unmet need, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) issued new clinical guidance to improve how iron deficiency is recognized and diagnosed across key populations, including adults, young children, menstruating and pregnant individuals, and people with inflammation.”
New serum ferritin (our storage form of iron and the first number to see trend down) thresholds for diagnosing iron deficiency:
Children aged 9 months to 4 years: 20 ng/mL or lower
Adults, and menstruating or pregnant individuals: 30 ng/ml or lower
High-risk groups, including individuals with heavy menstrual bleeding and pregnant individuals with anemia: 50 ng/mL or lower
Adults with inflammation, including those with cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or infectious disease: serum ferritin under 100ng/mL or transferrin saturation (iron transport protein) of under 20%
Signs and symptoms of anemia are:
fatigue and weakness
shortness of breath
pale skin
dizziness or lightheadedness
cold hands and feet
fast or irregular heartbeats
headaches
cravings for ice
* I also look for pale eyelids and nails that are cupped.
If you have any of these symptoms or have suffered from heavy menstrual cycles, please reach out and let’s get your levels checked cheaper than the price of a doctor’s visit.
