Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Implications

• Iron deficiency remains a global health burden, affecting over 1.2 billion people, with significant impacts on cognitive and physical performance. • Diagnosis requires a combination of biomarkers including serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, and hemoglobin, with consideration of inflammatory status. • Management should be individualized, with oral iron as first-line, but intravenous iron is preferred in certain conditions like chronic kidney disease and inflammatory bowel disease. • Emerging therapies, including hepcidin modulators and novel iron formulations, promise improved efficacy and fewer side effects.