What does iron deficiency lead to in the body?

Iron deficiency leads to iron deficiency anemia in the body, which is characterized by a reduced level of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. When there is insufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells, leading to a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin available. This condition can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin because the organs are not receiving enough oxygen to function optimally.

Iron overload in the blood, enhanced absorption in the gut, and increased production of hemoglobin do not occur as a result of iron deficiency. Instead, the body's mechanisms would typically respond to low iron levels by trying to enhance absorption from the diet, but if iron is deficient, the overall production of hemoglobin cannot increase, resulting in anemia. Therefore, the most direct and accurate consequence of iron deficiency is indeed iron deficiency anemia.