What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Anemia occurs when you have a level of red blood cells (RBCs) in your blood
that is lower than normal. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of
anemia, and it occurs when your body doesnt have enough of the mineral
iron. Your body needs iron to make a protein called hemoglobin. This protein
is responsible for carrying oxygen to your bodys tissues, which is essential
for your tissues and muscles to function effectively. When there isnt enough
iron in your blood stream, the rest of your body cant get the amount of
oxygen it needs.

While the condition may be common, a lot of people dont know they have
iron deficiency anemia. Its possible to experience the symptoms for years
without ever knowing the cause.

In women of childbearing age, the most common cause of iron deficiency

anemia is a loss of iron in the blood due to heavy menstruation or pregnancy.
A poor diet or certain intestinal diseases that affect how the body absorbs
iron can also cause iron deficiency anemia. Doctors normally treat the
condition with iron supplements or changes to diet.

Advertisement

Part 2 of 10: Causes

What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Causes Icon
According to the American Society of Hematology, iron deficiency is the most
common cause of anemia. There are many reasons why a person might
become deficient in iron. These include:

Inadequate Iron Intake

Eating too little iron over an extended amount of time can cause a shortage
in your body. Foods such as meat, eggs, and some green leafy vegetables are
high in iron. Because iron is essential during times of rapid growth and
development, pregnant women and young children may need even more

iron-rich foods in their diet

Pregnancy or Blood Loss Due to Menstruation

In women of childbearing age, the most common causes of iron deficiency
anemia are heavy menstrual bleeding and blood loss during childbirth.

Internal Bleeding
Certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, which can lead to iron
deficiency anemia. Examples include an ulcer in your stomach, polyps (tissue
growths) in the colon or intestines, or colon cancer. Regular use of pain
relievers, such as aspirin, can also cause bleeding in the stomach.

Inability to Absorb Iron

Certain disorders or surgeries that affect the intestines can also interfere with
how your body absorbs iron. Even if you get enough iron in your diet, celiac
disease or intestinal surgery, such as gastric bypass, may limit the amount of
iron your body can absorb.

Part 3 of 10: Risk Factors

Who Is at Risk for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Risk Factors
Anemia is a common condition and can occur in both men and women of any
age and from any ethnic group. Some people may be at greater risk for iron
deficiency anemia than others. These include:

women of childbearing age

pregnant women
people with poor diets
people who donate blood frequently
infants and children, especially those born prematurely or experiencing a

growth spurt
vegetarians who dont replace meat with another iron-rich food
If youre at risk for iron deficiency anemia, talk to your doctor to determine if
blood testing or dietary changes could benefit you.

Part 4 of 10: Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Symptoms Icon
The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can be very mild at first, and you
may not even notice them. According to the American Society of Hematology
(ASH), most people dont realize they have mild anemia until they have a
routine blood test.

The symptoms of moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia include:

general fatigue
weakness
pale skin
shortness of breath
dizziness
strange cravings to eat items that arent food, such as dirt, ice, or clay
a tingling or crawling feeling in the legs
tongue swelling or soreness
cold hands and feet
fast or irregular heartbeat
brittle nails
headaches
Part 5 of 10: Diagnosis

How Is Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed?

Diagnosis Icon
A doctor can diagnose anemia with blood tests. These include:

Complete Blood Cell (CBC) Test

A complete blood cell (CBC) test is usually the first test a doctor will use. A
CBC test measures the amount of all components in the blood, including:

red blood cells (RBCs)

white blood cells (WBCs)
hemoglobin
hematocrit
platelets
The CBC test provides information about your blood that is helpful in
diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. This information includes:

the hematocrit level, which is the percent of blood volume that is made up of
RBCs
the hemoglobin level
the size of your RBCs
In iron deficiency anemia, the hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are low. Also,
RBCs are usually smaller in size than normal.

A CBC test is often performed as part of a routine physical examination. Its a

good indicator of a persons overall health. It may also be performed routinely
before a surgery. This test is useful to diagnose this type of anemia since
most people who have an iron deficiency dont realize it.

Other Tests

Anemia can usually be confirmed with a CBC test. Your doctor might order
additional blood tests to determine how severe your anemia is and help
determine treatments. They may also examine your blood through a
microscope. These blood tests will provide information including:

iron level in your blood

RBC size and color
RBCs are pale in color if theyre deficient in iron.
ferritin levels
Ferritin is a protein that helps with iron storage in your body. Low levels of
ferritin indicate low iron storage.
total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
Transferrin is a protein that transports iron. A TIBC test is used to determine
the amount transferrin thats carrying iron.
Tests for Internal Bleeding
If your doctor is concerned that internal bleeding is causing your anemia,
additional tests may be needed. One test you may have is fecal occult test to
look for blood in your feces. Blood in your feces may indicate bleeding in your
intestine.

Another test for internal bleeding is a pelvic ultrasound. This test can be used
to look for the source of excess bleeding during a womans period, such as
fibroids. Fibroids are noncancerous tumors in the uterus.

Part 6 of 10: Anemia in Women

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women
In Women
Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding, and uterine fibroids are all reasons
why women are more likely to experience iron deficiency anemia.

Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman bleeds longer or more than

women typically bleed during menstruation. According to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical menstrual bleeding lasts for
four to five days and the amount of blood lost ranges from 2 to 3
tablespoons. Women with excess menstrual bleeding typically bleed for more
than seven days and lose twice as much blood as normal.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), an

estimated 20 percent of women of childbearing age have iron deficiency
anemia. Pregnant women are even more likely to experience iron deficiency
anemia because they require greater amounts of blood to support their
growing babies.

Like iron deficiency anemia, uterine fibroids often dont cause symptoms.
However, they occur when muscular tumors grow in the uterus. While theyre
not usually cancerous, they can commonly cause heavy menstrual bleeding
that can lead to iron deficiency anemia.

Part 7 of 10: Complications

What Are the Potential Health Complications of Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Complications Icon
Most cases of iron deficiency anemia are mild and dont cause complications.
The condition can usually be easily corrected. However, if anemia or iron
deficiency is untreated, it can lead to other health problems, including:

Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat

When youre anemic, your heart has to pump more blood to make up for the
low amount of oxygen. This can lead to irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, it
can lead to heart failure or an enlarged heart.

Pregnancy Complications
In severe cases of iron deficiency, a child may be born prematurely or with a
low birth weight. Most pregnant women take iron supplements as part of their
prenatal care to prevent this from happening.

Delayed Growth in Infants and Children

Infants and children who are severely deficient in iron may experience a
delay in their growth and development. They may also be more likely to
experience infections.

Part 8 of 10: Treatment

How Is Iron Deficiency Anemia Treated?
Treatment Icon
Iron Supplements
Iron tablets can help restore iron levels in your body. If possible, you should
take iron tablets on an empty stomach, which helps the body absorb them
better. If they upset your stomach, you can take them with meals. You may
need to take the supplements for several months. Iron supplements may
cause constipation or stools that are black in color.

Diet
Diets high that include the following foods can help treat or prevent iron
deficiency:

red meat
dark green, leafy vegetables
dried fruits
nuts
iron-fortified cereals
Additionally, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. If youre taking iron
tablets, a doctor might suggest taking the tablets along with a source of
vitamin C, like a glass of orange juice or citrus fruit.

Treating the Underlying Cause of Bleeding

Iron supplements wont help if excess bleeding causes the deficiency. A

doctor may prescribe birth control pills to women who have heavy periods.
This can reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding each month.

In the most severe cases, a blood transfusion can replace iron and blood loss
quickly.

Part 9 of 10: Prevention

Can Iron Deficiency Anemia Be Prevented?
Prevention Icon
When caused by inadequate iron intake, iron deficiency anemia can be
prevented by eating a diet high in iron-rich foods and vitamin C. Mothers
should make sure to feed their babies breast milk or iron-fortified infant
formula.

Foods high in iron include:

meat, such as lamb, pork, chicken, and beef

beans
pumpkin and squash seeds
leafy greens, such as spinach
raisins and other dried fruit
eggs
seafood, such as clams, sardines, shrimp, and oysters
iron-fortified dry and instant cereals
Foods high in vitamin C include:

citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, kiwis, guavas,

papayas, pineapples, melons, and mangoes

broccoli
red and green bell peppers
Brussels sprouts
cauliflower
tomatoes
leafy greens
Part 10 of 10: Outlook
Iron Deficiency Anemia Outlook
Icon Outlook
If you experience symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, talk to your doctor.
Self-diagnosing and self-treating iron deficiency anemia can result in adverse
health effects due to too much iron in your blood. The complications from too
much iron in your blood include liver damage and constipation.