From the Guidelines
The recommended daily iron intake for females varies by age and physiological state, with infants 7-12 months needing 11 mg daily, children ages 1-3 requiring 7 mg, and ages 4-8 needing 10 mg, while girls 9-13 require 8 mg, adolescents 14-18 need 15 mg, adult women 19-50 need 18 mg, and women over 50 need 8 mg, with pregnant women requiring 27 mg daily and breastfeeding women requiring 9-10 mg daily, as supported by the Institute of Medicine's recommendations 1.
Iron Requirements by Age and Physiological State
The following are the recommended daily iron intake levels for females by age and physiological stage:
- Infants 7-12 months: 11 mg daily
- Children ages 1-3: 7 mg daily
- Children ages 4-8: 10 mg daily
- Girls 9-13: 8 mg daily
- Adolescents 14-18: 15 mg daily
- Adult women 19-50: 18 mg daily
- Women over 50: 8 mg daily
- Pregnant women: 27 mg daily
- Breastfeeding women: 9-10 mg daily These recommendations are based on the essential role of iron in hemoglobin production, oxygen transport, and cellular energy production, as well as the increased iron requirements during periods of growth and reproductive years due to blood loss through menstruation, as noted by the Institute of Medicine 1.
Importance of Iron Intake
Iron deficiency anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, and impaired cognitive function, while excessive supplementation can cause gastrointestinal distress and potentially dangerous iron overload, highlighting the importance of adhering to recommended daily iron intake levels, as reported in studies 1.
Dietary Sources of Iron
Natural food sources of iron include certain fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry, with fortified breads and grain products also being important potential sources of iron, as noted by the Institute of Medicine 1.
From the Research
Iron Requirements for Females by Age
The recommended daily iron intake levels for females vary by age and physiological stage.
- The estimated dietary iron requirements for adult menstruating women are 18.9 mg per day, while for menstruating teenagers, the requirements are 21.4 mg per day 2.
- A study on dietary iron intake in French women of reproductive age found that the mean daily iron intake was 11 mg, which is lower than the recommended dietary allowances of 16-18 mg per day 3.
- For pregnant women, a subgroup analysis of Korean women found that ferric carboxymaltose and ferrous sulfate had comparable hemoglobin level increases, but ferric carboxymaltose provided greater improvements in iron parameters and quality of life 4.
- For women with iron deficiency anemia due to heavy uterine bleeding, a randomized controlled trial found that intravenous ferric carboxymaltose was more effective than oral ferrous sulfate in correcting anemia and improving quality of life 5.
- A study on oral iron supplementation in iron-deficient women found that morning doses of 60-120 mg iron as a ferrous salt given with ascorbic acid on alternate days may be an optimal oral dosing regimen 6.
Physiological Stages and Iron Requirements
- Menstruating women: 18.9 mg per day for adults and 21.4 mg per day for teenagers 2.
- Pregnant women: ferric carboxymaltose and ferrous sulfate had comparable hemoglobin level increases, but ferric carboxymaltose provided greater improvements in iron parameters and quality of life 4.
- Women with iron deficiency anemia due to heavy uterine bleeding: intravenous ferric carboxymaltose was more effective than oral ferrous sulfate in correcting anemia and improving quality of life 5.