A case of severe sideropenic anaemia in a 15-year-old patient indicates some frequently occurring situations encountered in everyday practice during treatment of sideropenic anaemia: iron therapy inadequately long to replenish iron stores, effect of rapid growth during puberty on negative iron balance in organism, inadequate diet of apprentices and association with contesting sports activities. When the diagnosis of sideropenic anaemia is correct and the iron dosage adequate the effect of treatment becomes soon apparent.

        Key words: sideropenic anaemia, puberty, iron therapy