NHS GP took to his Instagram to warn that women are treated differently to men when it comes to a potentially serious deficiency09:54, 04 Sep 2026Updated 15:13, 04 Sep 2026A doctor known for his appearances on ITV shows Lorraine and This Morning has issued a warning to women suffering from iron deficiency. Amir Khan took to his Instagram to warn that women are treated differently to men when it comes to a potentially serious deficiency.‌Dr Khan said if a man comes into a doctor’s surgery with an iron deficiency - it sparks a full investigation - but in the case of a woman it is often put down to periods - when in fact it could be something much more serious.‌He said: “Here’s something I think we need to be a bit more careful about in medicine. Now, if a man comes to see me with iron deficiency anaemia and there’s no obvious explanation, my medical brain im immediately starts asking, “Where is that iron going and why? Could he be losing blood somewhere? Could there be bleeding from his stomach or his bowel? Could it be an ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, meaning he’s not absorbing that iron properly? Could it be his medication? And importantly, could there be something more serious like a cancer in the gut going on.”‌Dr Khan said that it was ‘absolutely right’ that it should be investigated in this way. However he said that in the case of both sexes a third of men and post-menopausal women presenting with iron deficiency anaemia have an underlying pathological abnormal abnormality, most commonly within the gut.He explained: “So, we investigate. But then a menstruating woman walks through the door with exactly the same blood results, exactly the same iron deficiency anaemia. And sometimes the conversation can become, well, you have periods. And that’s the bit I want us to think about. Yes, periods are a very common cause of iron deficiency in women. Really common. If you’re losing significant amounts of blood every month, you’re losing iron with it.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌“But we shouldn’t simply see the word menstruating and stop thinking. We’ve got to ask more questions, right? How heavy are those periods? How long do they last? Are you flooding through your pads or tampons? Are you passing large clots. Have you have having to double up on period products? Are you getting up repeatedly during the night? Has the bleeding actually changed? But the most important thing is, does the amount she’s bleeding convincingly explain the degree of iron deficiency we’re seeing?”He said that women can have a number of other causes of iron deficiency, too. He said: “Women get coeliac disease, and sometimes iron deficiency anaemia is the first clue without obvious bowel symptoms. Women can get inflammatory bowel disease as well. Particularly younger women, women can have stomach ulcers and other causes of bleeding within the gut.“They can have dietary deficiencies and problems absorbing iron as well. And yes, although the risk varies enormously with age and other factors, women can get cancers within the gut, too. Now, that doesn’t mean every young woman with low iron needs a colonoscopy or a gastroscopy. She doesn’t. Investigations should be based on her age, symptoms, family history, severity, and whether the anaemia is recurrent or disproportionate to her menstrual losses. But it does mean we should ask, have I got a convincing explanation for this person’s iron deficiency rather than she’s a woman, she’s got periods, that’ll be it. We need to start investigating women just like men. We do.”‌The NHS said iron deficiency anaemia is caused by lack of iron, often because of blood loss or pregnancy. It’s treated with iron tablets and by eating iron-rich foods.#Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia can include:tiredness and lack of energyshortness of breathnoticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)paler than usual skinheadaches‌The NHS said that once the reason for the deficiency is diagnosed - for example, an ulcer or heavy periods - the GP will recommend treatment. The NHS said: “If the blood test shows your red blood cell count is low, iron tablets will be recommended to replace the iron that’s missing from your body. You’ll need to take them for about 6 months. Drinking orange juice after you’ve taken a tablet may help your body absorb the iron.”Some people get side effects when taking iron tablets like:constipation or diarrhoeatummy painheartburnfeeling sickdarker than usual pooArticle continues belowThe GP may carry out repeat blood tests over the next few months to check that the patient’s iron level is getting back to normal. More NHS advice here.