What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a blood disorder where a lack of iron means there is not enough hemoglobin produced by red blood cells for them to be able to distribute oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia has 3 stages; in stage 1 the body’s iron levels are beginning to drop but symptoms will not be experienced by the individual yet.

Stage 2 has prolonged low iron levels leading to the start of latent iron deficiency (iron deficient-erythropoiesis) and bone marrow beginning to make red blood cells that don’t have enough hemoglobin in them. It is in stage 3 that people begin to experience iron deficiency anemia symptoms because hemoglobin levels have been low for such a long period of time.

What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia results from the body’s iron stores being depleted faster than they can be replenished through natural dietary intake, or when the regular supply or iron diminishes for another reason. There are a number or reasons people can become iron deficient, but the most common is blood loss. This can be because of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, or blood loss due to injury or surgery.

Blood loss causing iron deficiency may also be because of heavy menstruation periods for women, and iron deficiency anemia may also stem from celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, an H-pylori infection, or gastrointestinal surgeries like a gastric bypass.   

Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

People with this condition will have iron deficiency anemia symptoms increase in strength over time, and they include body weakness and tiredness, cold hands and feet, pale skin, and dizziness or light headedness. They may also have cravings to ingest non-food items like ice, paper, and even dirt. Difficulty concentrating is another potential symptom of iron deficiency anemia.

Sufferers may also have chest pain, an elevated heartbeat, and shortness of breath but these symptoms are not as common. People with this condition may also bruise their skin more easily, experience restless leg syndrome, or have brittle finger and toenails that grow concave rather than flat. 

Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment

The standard approach to iron deficiency anemia treatment is to add supplementary iron to their diet or take an iron sucrose injection (Venofer), but this can also be seen to with an IV if dietary supplementation isn’t an option. It is usually when the person has iron supplement side effects that an IV will be used. Their doctor may also recommend eating a more iron-rich diet, involving increased intake of foods like legumes, bread and cereals, vegetables, protein, and certain fruits like figs, dates, and raisins.