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Iron Deficiency Anhedonia

Meaning

Iron deficiency anhedonia describes a specific clinical presentation where a deficit in the body’s iron stores, often reflected by suboptimal ferritin levels, directly contributes to the psychological symptom of anhedonia—the reduced capacity to experience pleasure or derive satisfaction from typically enjoyable activities. This is a neurochemical manifestation of iron insufficiency that extends beyond physical fatigue, impacting the reward and motivation circuits of the brain. It is a subtle but significant form of neurocognitive impairment linked to mineral status.