Iodine deficiency French, the term "crétin des Alpes" also became current, since the condition was observed in remote valleys of the Alps in particular. The word "cretin" appeared in English in 1779. While reporting recent progress towards overcoming iodine-deficiency disorders worldwide, "The Lancet" noted: "According to World Health Organization, in 2007, nearly 2 billion individuals had insufficient iodine intake, a third being of school age." A conclusion was made that the single most preventable cause of intellectual disability is that of iodine deficiency. There is preliminary evidence that iodine deficiency enhances the sensitivity of breast tissue to estrogen. In rats treated with
Iron deficiency Iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Untreated iron deficiency can lead to iron deficiency anemia, a common type of anemia. Anemia is a condition characterized by inadequate red blood cells (erythrocytes) or hemoglobin. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body lacks sufficient amounts of iron, resulting in reduced production of the protein hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen, thus enabling red blood cells to supply oxygenated blood throughout the body. Children, pre-menopausal women (women of child-bearing age) and people with poor diet are most susceptible to the disease. Most cases of iron deficiency anemia are mild, but if not treated can cause problems like