What is a description of iron-deficiency anemia?

Answer 1

Definition

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a decrease in the number of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron.

See also: Iron deficiency anemia - children

Alternative Names

Anemia - iron deficiency

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. About 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women, and 3% of men do not have enough iron in their body.

Iron is a key part of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. Your body normally gets iron through diet and by recycling iron from old red blood cells. Without iron, the blood cannot carry oxygen effectively. Oxygen is needed for every cell in the body to function normally.

The causes of iron deficiency are:

• Blood loss
• Poor absorption of iron by the body
• Too little iron in the diet

It can also be related to lead poisoning in children.

Anemia develops slowly after the normal iron stores in the body and bone marrow have run out. In general, women have smaller stores of iron than men because they lose more through menstruation. They are at higher risk for anemia than men.

In men and postmenopausal women, anemia is usually caused by gastrointestinal bleeding due to:

• Certain types of cancer (esophagus, stomach, colon)
• Esophageal varices
• Long-term use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
• Peptic ulcer disease

Iron deficiency anemia may also be caused by poor absorption of iron in the diet, due to:

• Celiac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Taking antacids

Other causes of iron deficiency anemia include:

• Heavy, long, or frequent menstrual bleeding
• Not receiving enough iron in the diet (for example, if you are a strict vegetarian)

Adults at high-risk for anemia include:

• Those who use aspirin, ibuprofen, or Arthritis medicines for a long time
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding who have low iron levels
• Seniors
• Women of child-bearing age

Symptoms

• Blue color to whites of the eyes
• Brittle nails
• Decreased appetite (especially in children)
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Irritability
• Pale skin color
• Shortness of breath
• Sore tongue
• Unusual food cravings (called pica)
• Weakness

Note: There may be no symptoms if the anemia is mild.

Signs and tests

• Fecal occult blood test
• Hematocrit and hemoglobin (red blood cell measures)
• Iron binding capacity (TIBC) in the blood
• RBC indices
• Serum ferritin
• Serum ironlevel

Treatment

The cause of the iron deficiency must be found, especially in older patients who face the greatest risk for gastrointestinal cancers.

Iron supplements (ferrous sulfate) are available. For the best iron absorption, take these supplements with an empty stomach. However, many people cannot tolerate this and may need to take the supplements with food.

Patients who cannot tolerate iron by mouth can take it through a vein (intravenous) or by an injection into the muscle.

Milk and antacids may interfere with the absorption of iron and should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements. Vitamin C can increase absorption and is essential in the production of hemoglobin.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women will need to take extra iron because their normal diet usually will not provide the required amount.

The hematocrit should return to normal after 2 months of iron therapy. However, iron should be continued for another 6 - 12 months to replenish the body's iron stores in the bone marrow.

Iron-rich foods include:

• Eggs (yolk)
• Fish
• Legumes (peas and beans)
• Meats (liver is the highest source)
• Poultry
• Raisins
• Whole-grain bread

Expectations (prognosis)

With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. Usually, blood counts will return to normal in 2 months.

Complications

There are usually no complications. However, iron deficiency anemia may come back. Get regular follow-ups with your health care provider.

Children with this disorder may be more likely to get infections.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of this disorder
• You notice blood in your stool

Prevention

Everyone's diet should include enough iron. Red meat, liver, and egg yolks are important sources of iron. Flour, bread, and some cereals are fortified with iron. If you aren't getting enough iron in your diet (uncommon in the United States), take iron supplements.

During periods when you need extra iron (such as pregnancy and breastfeeding), increase the amount of iron in your diet or take iron supplements.

References

Mabry-Hernandez IR. Screening for iron deficiency anemia--including iron supplementation for children and pregnant women. Am Fam Physician. 2009 May 15;79(10):897-8.

Alleyne M, Horne MK, Miller JL. Individualized treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in adults. Am J Med. 2008;121:943-948.

Brittenham G. Disorders of Iron Metabolism: Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 36.

Answer 2

Well Iron Deficiency Anemia, is when you don't have enough iron in your body (like meat), and you get very sick and possibly, eventually, die! And Anemia is the production of red blood cells, and when you don't have enough red blood cells, you cant break down iron in your body, causing you to get very sick very fast. Because red blood cells also help fight off bacteria and all that bad stuff off, and when you don't have enough red blood cells you get sick, because red blood cells need iron to grow and become strong, to protect your body! So basically if you have Iron Deficiency Anemia, you get very sick and soon die, there's no stopping it! It really is a very sad and depressing disease! -Hope I helped!

Answer 3

Definition

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Iron is an important building block for red blood cells.

When your body does not have enough iron, it will make fewer red blood cells or red blood cells that are too small. This is called iron deficiency anemia.

See also:

• Anemia
• Iron deficiency anemia - children

Alternative Names

Anemia - iron deficiency

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia.

Red blood cells bring oxygen to the body's tissues. Healthy red blood cells are made in your bone marrow. Red blood cells move through your body for 3 to 4 months. Parts of your body then remove old blood cells.

Iron is a key part of red blood cells. Without iron, the blood cannot carry oxygen effectively. Your body normally gets iron through your diet and by re-using iron from old red blood cells.

You get iron deficiency anemia when your body's iron stores run low. You can get iron deficiency if:

• You lose more blood cells and iron than your body can replace
• Your body does not do a good job of absorbing iron
• Your body is able to absorb iron, but you are not eating enough foods with iron in them
• Your body needs more iron than normal (such as if you are pregnant or breastfeeding)

Iron loss can be due to bleeding. Common causes of bleeding are:

• Heavy, long, or frequent menstrual periods
• Cancer in the esophagus, stomach, or colon
• Esophageal varices
• The use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or arthritis medicines for a long time
• Peptic ulcer disease

The body may not absorb enough iron in the diet due to:

• Celiac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Taking too many antacids that contain calcium

You may not get enough iron in the diet if:

• You are a strict vegetarian
• You are an older adult and do not eat a full diet

Symptoms

You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild.

Most of the time, symptoms are mild at first and develop slowly. Symptoms may include:

• Feeling grumpy
• Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise
• Headaches
• Problems concentrating or thinking

As the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include:

• Blue color to the whites of the eyes
• Brittle nails
• Light-headedness when you stand up
• Pale skin color
• Shortness of breath
• Sore tongue

Symptoms of the conditions that cause iron deficiency anemia include:

• Dark, tar-colored stools or blood
• Heavy menstrual bleeding (women)
• Pain in the upper belly (from ulcers)
• Weight loss (in people with cancer)

Signs and tests

To diagnose anemia, your doctor may order these blood tests:

• Hematocrit and hemoglobin (red blood cell measures)
• RBC indices

Tests to check iron levels in your blood include:

• Bone marrow exam (rare)
• Iron binding capacity (TIBC) in the blood
• Serum ferritin
• Serum ironlevel

Tests that may be done to look for the cause of iron deficiency:

• Colonoscopy
• Fecal occult blood test
• Upper endoscopy

Treatment

Taking supplements and eating iron-rich foods are important parts of treating iron deficiency anemia. However, you and your health care provider must first search for the cause of your anemia.

Iron supplements (most often ferrous sulfate) are needed to build up the iron stores in your body.

Patients who cannot take iron by mouth can take it through a vein (intravenous) or by an injection into the muscle.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women will need to take extra iron because their normal diet usually will not provide the amount they need.

The hematocrit should return to normal after 2 months of iron therapy. However, keep taking iron for another 6 - 12 months to replace the body's iron stores in the bone marrow.

Iron-rich foods include:

• Chicken and turkey
• Dried lentils, peas, and beans
• Eggs (yolk)
• Fish
• Meats (liver is the highest source)
• Peanut butter
• Soybeans
• Whole-grain bread

Other sources include:

• Oatmeal
• Raisins, Prunes, and apricots
• Spinach, kale, and other greens

Expectations (prognosis)

With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. However, it does depend on the cause. Usually, blood counts will return to normal in 2 months.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of this disorder
• You notice blood in your stool

Prevention

Everyone's diet should include enough iron. Red meat, liver, and egg yolks are important sources of iron. Flour, bread, and some cereals are fortified with iron. If you aren't getting enough iron in your diet (uncommon in the United States), take iron supplements.

During periods when you need extra iron (such as pregnancy and breastfeeding), increase the amount of iron in your diet or take iron supplements.

References

Mabry-Hernandez IR. Screening for iron deficiency anemia--including iron supplementation for children and pregnant women. Am Fam Physician. 2009 May 15;79(10):897-8.

Alleyne M, Horne MK, Miller JL. Individualized treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in adults. Am J Med. 2008;121:943-948.

Brittenham G. Disorders of Iron Metabolism: Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 36.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 02/28/2011

Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 4

To be anemic means that there aren't enough red blood cells flowing throughout your body. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, so if you're anemic, everything from your brain, to your heart, to your muscles aren't getting enough oxygen to run properly.

Iron is a key part of red blood cells. When your body doesn't have enough iron, it'll make fewer red blood cells or make cells that are just too small. If you lose enough iron, you'll wind up with iron deficiency anemia - the most common form of anemia.

So, what causes iron deficiency anemia?

There are basically three main ways you can become iron deficient. First, bleeding can cause you to lose more blood cells and iron than your body can replace. Bleeding due to ulcers, cancers, taking aspirin or other medicines can cause anemia. In women, this can happen because of heavy or frequent menstrual periods. The second way, your body isn't properly absorbing iron, perhaps, due to an intestinal disease. Some surgeries, like gastric bypass, can lead to anemia. You can also develop anemia if you take too many antacids that contain calcium. Lastly and much less common, is because of inadequate iron in your diet. We see this in strict vegetarians and older folks who simply just don't eat enough food.

In many cases, mild iron deficiency anemia comes on so gradually that you may not even know you're anemic. Symptoms of mild anemia are subtle and include: feeling grumpy, weak or tired more often than usual and getting headaches or perhaps having problems concentrating

But as the anemia gets worse, you may develop: a blue color to the whites of your eyes, light-headedness when you go to stand up and you may look pale or experience shortness of breath

To find out if you've got iron-deficiency anemia...

- See your doctor; your doctor will start with a Complete Blood Count or CBC test. That'll tell you and your doctor your white, red blood cell and platelet counts. If you're anemic and have small red blood cells, that suggests iron deficiency anemia, so iron studies like serum iron, total iron binding capacity and ferritin level tests should be done.

So, what steps can you take... It's important that your diet include enough iron. Red meat, chicken, turkey. liver, and egg yolks are important sources of iron. Flour, bread, and some cereals are fortified with iron.

Sometimes people with anemia take iron supplements to build up iron stores in their bodies. But the thing is - It's not enough just to take extra iron at your doctor's direction...Your doctor needs to find out WHY you've got iron deficiency anemia and treat that underlying cause.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 10/25/2011

Alan Greene, MD, Author and Practicing Pediatrician; also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 5

Iron Deficiency Anemia is a type of Anemia causes when there is a lack of iron in the diet and body, or if you have had a great blood loss.

Answer 6

Iron Cell Deficiency Anemia is when the body lacks iron to produce the red blood cells in your body.

Answer 7

Decreased capacity for the blood to transport oxygen.

Answer 8

Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the amount of hemoglobinin in the bloodstream is reduced and oxygen cannot be efficiently transported to tissues and organs throughout the body.

Answer 9

Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when there is insufficient iron from dietary sources, or as a result of blood loss in the body.