Improving Management of Iron Deficiency, with Steven Fein, MD

In the fifth and final segment of this video series, which highlights advances in hematology from 2024, Steven Fein, MD, a telehealth hematologist with HemeOnCall takes a deep dive into what he believes next year will hold for the hematology community as well as the importance of iron deficiency awareness among family or internal medicine practitioners. Fein begins by emphasizing the importance of identifying and treating iron deficiency, particularly in pregnant women, to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes. He underscores ongoing research exploring the potential effects of iron deficiency on offspring well-being and cognitive development. Fein stresses universal iron testing and treatment for pregnant women must become standard practice, highlighting its relevance not only for managing fatigue but also for ensuring optimal outcomes for both mother and child.

Expanding on the broader implications, Fein notes that iron deficiency is prevalent in one-third of all women, with ferritin levels below 30, posing significant barriers to women’s overall wellness, work performance, and concentration. He frames iron deficiency as a contributor to gender inequality, as women are disproportionately affected compared to men. Fein calls for increased awareness and testing across specialties—OBGYN for pregnant women and family or internal medicine for non-pregnant women—emphasizing the need for separate iron testing beyond routine hemoglobin measurements.

Relevant disclosures for Fein include Pharmacosmos Therapeutics, Sobi, Amgen, Agios, BeiGene, and others.