- Increased iron needs Some population of people need more iron than others, examples include: - Pregnant women, to make up for the baby’s uptake - Children and teenagers, as their bodies need more iron due to rapid growth - Athletes, due to continuous intense physical activity. - Poor Iron absorption Sometimes, even if you eat enough iron, your body might not absorb it properly. This could be due to: • Certain health conditions like Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcer • Weight loss surgery (Gastric bypass) • Too much calcium, which can block absorption of iron.