Iron-deficiency Anemia
Also known as: Hypochronic
microcytic anemia
What is it?
Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition that
occurs when there is not enough iron in the blood.
Iron is a mineral the body needs to make
hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that
helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of
the body.
Who gets it?
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type
of anemia in the world, affecting mostly women,
young children, and older people. It is estimated
that 15 percent of menstruating women are
affected, and it is particularly common in women
of Asian decent.
What causes it?
Any condition in which a person loses blood
over a long period of time can cause
iron-deficiency anemia. The most common cause in
the United States is pregnancy and
gastrointestinal bleeding. During pregnancy, a
woman needs extra iron for her growing baby.
Bleeding and blood losses through
gastrointestinal tract can be caused by colorectal
cancer, hookworms, hemorrhoids, anal fissures,
irritable bowel syndrome, aspirin-induced
bleeding, blood clotting disorders, and
diverticulosis (a condition caused by an abnormal
opening from the intestine or bladder). Von
Willebrand's disease, a genetic condition, can
cause bleeding disorders which can cause
gastrointestinal bleeding.
Other causes include menstruation, blood loss
through the urine, donating blood more than five
times per year, not eating healthy foods, chronic
inflammation of the intestines, problems with iron
absorption and surgery to remove part of the
stomach.
What are the symptoms?
Many people who have iron-deficiency anemia
don’t realize it. The most common symptoms are
feeling tired and weak, paleness of skin, whites
of eyes appear blue-like, shortness of breath,
dizziness, abdominal pain and lack of appetite.
These symptoms result because of the red blood
cells are not functioning properly and cannot
carry iron to exercising muscles. Other symptoms
may include headache, feeling irritable, nails
that break easily, burning and soreness on the
tongue and in the mouth. Wanting to eat ice,
paint, starch, or dirt (a condition called Pica)
may be other signs of iron-deficiency anemia.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose iron-deficiency anemia, the doctor
may look at the patient’s medical history and
symptoms to determine what tests should be done. A
blood test in combination with a test for oral
iron absorption may confirm the diagnosis. The
doctor may also want to check the patient’s stools
or get x-rays of the bowel to determine if blood
loss is a cause of the anemia.
What is the treatment?
The doctor may recommend the patient take oral
iron supplements to treat iron-deficiency anemia.
If poor iron absorption is a problem, the doctor
may recommend therapy with injections of iron. The
doctor may recommend a surgery, called an upper
and/or lower GI endoscopy, to detect any
malignancy. The doctor may also recommend the
patient change his or her eating habits to be sure
of a well-balanced diet.
Self-care tips
Iron-deficiency anemia is easily cured.
Patients should follow their doctor’s
recommendations and take their iron supplements
and follow a well-balanced, varied diet.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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