Our study aimed to understand how iron deficiency impacts students' experiences, particularly focusing on symptoms like vertigo and dizziness. We set out to identify undiagnosed iron deficiency among first-grade students at an upper secondary school and evaluated changes in their symptoms and lab results after three months of iron supplementation.
Through our research, we found that 12% of the students had iron deficiency, and 61% exhibited some abnormal test results related to iron levels. Notably, we observed that symptoms of vertigo and dizziness were significantly more common in those with iron deficiency. After the students received iron supplementation, we recorded notable improvements: iron levels increased, transferrin levels decreased, and importantly, there was a marked reduction in symptoms, including vertigo, irritability, and depressive feelings.
Our findings convincingly highlight that iron supplementation can be beneficial in alleviating certain symptoms, specifically vertigo and dizziness, among students struggling with iron deficiency. This connection opens doors to addressing quality of life issues tied to iron levels among young individuals.