Free Iron Deficiency Screening Offered to Women at Karrinyup This Weekend

Researchers from The University of Western Australia will provide free screening for iron deficiency to women aged 18 to 49 this weekend (Friday September 29 to Sunday 1 October) at Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

“Our goal is to develop an algorithm to help predict iron deficiency through a simple questionnaire and finger-prick blood testing.”

Beth MacLean, UWA Medical School PhD candidate

The screening is part of the researchers’ CAPRI study to raise awareness of the increased risk of iron deficiency for women in their reproductive years.

PhD candidate Beth MacLean, from UWA’s Medical School, said the screening would allow women to test whether they’re at risk of developing an iron deficiency, while collecting data to give researchers a better understanding of the condition, which has a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety and depression.

“It can be quite difficult to identify from the symptoms, which is why blood testing is so important,” Ms MacLean said.

“Our goal is to develop an algorithm to help predict iron deficiency through a simple questionnaire and finger-prick blood testing.”

The screening questionnaire will address risk factors including menstruation, pregnancy history, diet, exercise patterns and various symptoms.

“Women of reproductive age are at a greater risk of developing iron deficiency through menstruation – as well as pregnancy, where over half of the iron stores are consumed,” Ms MacLean said.

“A vegetarian or vegan diet can also be a high-risk factor, as the iron that you get in meat products is absorbed 10 times more effectively than it is in vegetable products.”

Researchers will also conduct a finger prick test for anaemia at the screening and refer women with a low haemoglobin count for further blood testing.