<unk> , or sideropenia, is the state in which a body lacks enough<unk>  to supply its needs.<unk>  is present in all cells in the human body and has several vital functions, such as carrying oxygen to the tissues from the lungs as a key component of the hemoglobin protein, acting as a transport medium for electrons within the cells in the form of cytochromes, and facilitating oxygen enzyme reactions in various tissues. Too little<unk>  can interfere with these vital functions and lead to morbidity and death. Total body<unk>  averages approximately 3.8 g in men and 2.3 g in women. In blood plasma,<unk>  is carried tightly bound to the protein transferrin. There are several mechanisms that control<unk>  metabolism and safeguard against<unk> . The main regulatory mechanism is situated in the gastrointestinal tract. The majority of<unk>  absorption occurs in the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine. A number of dietary factors may affect<unk>  absorption. When loss of<unk>  is not sufficiently compensated by intake of<unk>  from the diet, a state of<unk>  develops over time. When this state is uncorrected, it leads to<unk>  anemia, a common type of anemia. Before anemia occurs, the medical condition of<unk>  without anemia is called latent<unk>  (LID). Anemia is a condition characterized by inadequate red blood cells (erythrocytes) or hemoglobin. When the body lacks sufficient amounts of<unk> , production of the protein hemoglobin is reduced. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen, enabling red blood cells to supply oxygenated blood throughout the body. Women of child-bearing age, children, and people with poor diet are most susceptible to the disease. Most cases of<unk>  anemia are mild, but if not treated can cause problems like an irregular heartbeat, pregnancy complications, and delayed growth in infants and children that could affect their cognitive development and their behavior.
Iron deficiency
Zinc deficiency
Zinc toxicity
Manganese deficiency 
Iron metabolism disorder
Folate deficiency
Copper deficiency
Cerebral folate deficiency