Marcus D L, Freedman M L
Clin Geriatr Med. 1985 Nov;1(4):729-45.
When iron deficiency occurs in the elderly, it is usually due to bleeding and not to nutritional lack or malabsorption. Iron deficiency early in life may lead to irreversible changes (for example, gastric achlorhydria) that are troublesome in later life. The nonhematologic effects of iron deficiency still need to be studied in the elderly. In particular, the role of iron in brain metabolism would seem important in geriatrics. Although it is important to prevent iron deficiency, indiscriminate use of iron could conceivably lead to iron overload. As with many beneficial compounds, patients must be cautioned against the prolonged ingestion of large amounts of iron salts.
老年人缺铁通常是由于出血，而非营养缺乏或吸收不良。早年缺铁可能会导致不可逆转的变化（例如，胃酸缺乏），这些变化在晚年是麻烦的。缺铁对老年人的非血液学影响仍有待研究。特别是，铁在脑代谢中的作用在老年病学中似乎很重要。虽然预防缺铁很重要，但随意使用铁可能会导致铁过载。与许多有益化合物一样，必须告诫患者不要长期大量摄入铁盐。
