Also Known As:

What is Iron Deficiency Anaemia?

Iron Deficiency Anaemia is a blood condition that occurs when your body doesn’t have enough of the mineral iron.

Red blood cells contain haemoglobin; an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red colour. Haemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your lungs so that it can be exhaled.
Your body uses iron to make haemoglobin. And when there isn’t enough iron in your blood stream, the rest of your body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs, resulting in anaemia.

Causes

Iron deficiency occurs when the rate of loss, or use of iron, is more than its rate of absorption. The main causes of this condition are:
•   Chronic blood loss. Most commonly due to excessive menstruation or bleeding into or from the gut as a result of a peptic ulcer, gastritis, haemorrhoids or worm infestation.
•   Increased use of iron in the body. In pregnancy, due to the growth of the foetus or children undergoing rapid growth spurts in infancy and adolescence.
•   Decreased absorption of iron. This can be due to a partial or total removal of the stomach or bowels; lack of stomach acid; chronic diarrhoea; or malabsorption.
•   Cancers
•   Regular use of some common pain relievers, especially Aspirin.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia include:
•   Tiredness
•   Weakness
•   Pale or yellowish skin
•   Shortness of breath
•   Fast heartbeat
•   Glossitis
•   Angular Stomatitis
•   Pica

Diagnosis & Treatment

Iron Deficiency Anaemia is diagnosed by a Doctor using a physical examination and blood tests.

Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anaemia will depend on the cause and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary changes and supplements, medicines, and surgery. Severe iron-deficiency anaemia may require treatment in hospital, blood transfusions, or intravenous iron therapy.

Additional Information

Iron Deficiency Anaemia is the most common type of Anaemia worldwide.

Also see: Anaemia