by What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells that are needed to transport oxygen. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia usually develop gradually and can include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, pale skin, brittle nails, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia in the world and is more prevalent in women, infants, pregnant women, and vegetarians.
Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia
There are several common causes of iron deficiency anemia including:
Insufficient Iron Intake: Not consuming enough iron in the diet is a leading cause of iron deficiency. Iron intake can be inadequate due to a low iron diet, drinking too much coffee or tea with meals as these inhibit iron absorption, vegetarian or vegan diets without sufficient iron-rich plant foods. Premature infants, toddlers, teens, and pregnant/menstruating women are at higher risk of insufficient iron intake.
Blood Loss: Conditions that cause excessive menstrual blood loss, such as fibroids or heavy periods, can lead to iron deficiency as iron is lost. Stomach issues like ulcers or intestinal parasites that cause microscopic bleeding over time can also deplete iron levels.
Malabsorption: Some medical conditions like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease can damage the intestines and impair the absorption of iron from food. Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment Gastric bypass surgery and other weight loss procedures also increase risk by bypassing parts of the stomach and small intestine where iron is absorbed.
Increased Demand: Growth spurts in infants and children place high demands for iron. Pregnancy leads to increased iron needs as stores are transferred to support rapid cell growth and expansion of blood volume for the baby and mother.
Genetics: Rarely, certain genetic conditions like thalassemia major and sickle cell anemia impair normal red blood cell structure and function and contribute to iron deficiency.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The most common signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:
– Fatigue and weakness
– Pale skin
– Shortness of breath during exercise or activity
– Fast or irregular heartbeat
– Headache
– Dizziness or lightheadedness
– Cold hands and feet
– Chest pain
– Brittle nails
– Sore tongue
– Restless legs syndrome
– Poor appetite
Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anemia
If iron deficiency anemia is suspected based on medical history and symptoms, doctors will perform some laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis including:
– Complete blood count (CBC) – Will show low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels along with microcytic (small) red blood cells.
– Serum ferritin test – Measures iron stores in the body. Level below 15 mcg/L confirms iron deficiency.
– Transferrin saturation test – Measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin. Below 16% indicates iron deficiency.
– C-reactive protein (CRP) – Ruled out to exclude other causes of anemia like infection or inflammation.
Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment
Iron deficiency anemia treatment focuses on replacing depleted iron stores through dietary changes and/or iron supplements. The appropriate treatment plan depends on the severity of the anemia and its underlying cause.
Dietary Changes: For mild cases, increasing iron-rich foods like red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, spinach, dried fruits and enrichment grains can help replenish iron levels over time. Vitamin C aids iron absorption when consumed with plant-based iron sources. Limiting intake of calcium, tannins, and phosphates near mealtimes also improves absorption.
Iron Supplements: For moderate to severe anemia or cases not responding well to diet, iron supplements are usually recommended. Over-the-counter supplements contain 65 mg of elemental iron which is about 1000% of the daily value and require dosing 2-3 times per day with meals. Common side effects include constipation, nausea, stomach pain which can limited compliance. Prescription supplements are sometimes recommended to better tolerate the higher doses needed.
Intravenous Iron Therapy: Patients unable to take oral supplements, such as due to gastrointestinal issues or noncompliance receive IV iron. These high dose infusions replenish iron levels quickly with less side effects. IV iron may also be used during pregnancy to effectively treat anemia without risk to the fetus or mother.
Follow-up Treatment and Prevention
After initial iron treatment, doctors will continue monitoring hemoglobin levels with blood tests every few months until levels are restored. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause is also important such as heavy periods, GI issues or malabsorption. Once anemia is resolved, lifestyle changes and a balanced diet rich in iron sources can help prevent recurrence. High risk groups benefit from routine iron status screening. Early detection and treatment of iron deficiency leads to better outcomes.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
