Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Symptoms, Causes, Risk factors, Treatments & Prevention

 

One common form of anemia is iron deficiency anemia, characterized by an inadequate number of healthy red blood cells in the blood. The body's tissues receive oxygen from red blood cells.

Iron deficiency anemia is caused by insufficient iron, as the name suggests. Your body cannot make enough hemoglobin, which gives red blood cells the ability to carry oxygen if it does not receive enough iron. Consequently, iron deficiency anemia may cause fatigue and dyspnea.

Iron supplements can usually be used to treat iron-deficient anemia. For iron deficiency anemia, more testing or therapy may occasionally be required, particularly if your doctor detects internal bleeding.

The most prevalent type of anemia, a blood condition that affects your red blood cells, is iron-deficiency anemia. Over time, symptoms of iron deficiency develop.To treat iron deficiency anemia, medical professionals may recommend iron supplements in addition to diagnosing and treating the underlying illness.

Also Read: Anemia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

What is iron deficiency anemia?

Iron-deficient Anemia is a blood disorder affecting the red blood cells in your body. It's the most common type of anemia. It occurs when the body isn't producing enough hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, due to a shortage of iron. Therefore, an iron shortage may make you feel exhausted or short of breath. These signs and symptoms intensify with time. You might be given iron supplements if you are found to have an iron deficiency. To ascertain the cause of your iron shortage, healthcare professionals will also conduct tests and ask you questions.

 Symptoms:

Iron deficiency anemia may not be noticeable at first since it is so mild. However, the symptoms develop and the body becomes increasingly iron deficient, which exacerbates the signs and symptoms of anemia.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia might include:

• Extreme fatigue

• Pale skin

• Breathlessness, an accelerated heartbeat, or chest pain

• Headache, lightheadedness, or dizziness

• Cold hands and feet

• Pain or inflammation on your tongue

• Brittle nails

Unusual cravings for non-nutritive items like starch, ice, or dirt
Poor appetite, particularly in young patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia

Causes:

Lack of iron When your body doesn't have enough iron to make hemoglobin, anemia results. The component of red blood cells called hemoglobin gives blood its red hue and allows the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Iron deficiency anemia will eventually set in if your body is unable to manufacture enough hemoglobin due to inadequate iron intake or excessive iron loss.

Anemia due to iron deficiency can be caused by:

• Loss of blood. Red blood cells in the blood contain iron. Thus, you lose some iron if you lose blood. Because they lose blood throughout their periods, women who have heavy periods are more likely to develop iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can be brought on by slow, continuous blood loss within the body, such as that which occurs from a hiatal hernia, colon polyp, peptic ulcer, or colorectal cancer. Regular use of many over-the-counter pain medications, particularly aspirin, can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.

• A diet deficient in iron. Iron is continuously supplied to your body by the food you eat. Your body may eventually become iron deficient if you eat too little iron. Meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and foods fortified with iron are a few examples of foods high in iron. Iron is also required by newborns and children's diets for healthy growth and development.

• An inability to absorb iron. Iron from food is absorbed into your bloodstream in your small intestine. Iron deficiency anemia can result from an intestinal condition like celiac disease, which impairs the intestine's capacity to absorb nutrients from food that has been digested. The surgical removal or bypass of a portion of your small intestine may have an impact on your body's ability to absorb iron and other nutrients.

• Pregnancy. Because their iron stores must provide both the increasing fetus's hemoglobin needs and their own increased blood volume, many pregnant women get iron deficiency anemia in the absence of iron supplements.

Diagnosis:

Using blood testing, iron-deficiency anemia is detected. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to determine the cause of iron-deficiency anemia. Steps your healthcare practitioner might take to detect iron-deficiency anemia include:

• Your red blood cells might be examined under a microscope by them. Your red blood cells will be smaller and more pale than usual if you have iron-deficiency anemia.

• The amount of iron in your blood will be measured.

• Your blood's transferrin amount will be measured. The iron-carrying protein is called transferrin.

• Your blood's ferritin level will be measured. A protein called ferritin is used to store iron.

• To find out why your iron is low, they might suggest a colonoscopy or other tests.

Risk factors:

The following individuals may be more susceptible to iron deficiency anemia:

• Women. Women are more likely to get iron deficiency anemia overall because they lose more blood during periods of menstruation.

• Young children and infants. Iron deficiency may occur in infants who don't obtain enough iron from breast milk or formula, especially those who are low birth weight or prematurely born. Children going through growth spurts require more iron. Your child may be at risk for anemia if they aren't eating a balanced, healthy diet.

• Vegetarians. If they don't eat other foods high in iron, people who don't eat meat may be more likely to get iron deficiency anemia.

• Frequent donors of blood. Regular blood donors may be more susceptible to iron deficiency anemia because blood giving might reduce iron reserves. Eating additional foods high in iron can help temporarily address low hemoglobin associated with blood donation. Ask your doctor if you should be concerned if you are advised that your low hemoglobin makes it impossible for you to donate blood.

Complications:

Most of the time, mild iron deficiency anemia doesn't cause complications. Iron deficiency anemia, however, can worsen and cause many health issues if left untreated, such as the following:

• Heart problems. An irregular or rapid heartbeat might be a symptom of iron deficient anemia. When you're anemic, your blood has less oxygen, so your heart has to pump more blood to make up for it. Heart failure or an enlarged heart may result from this.

• Issues that arise during pregnancy. Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy has been associated with low birth weight and premature births. However, if iron supplements are given to expectant mothers as part of their prenatal care, the condition can be prevented.

• Problems with growth. Severe iron shortage can cause anemia and delayed development and growth in newborns and children. Furthermore, an elevated risk of infection is linked to iron-deficient anemia.

Treatment:

Your doctor could advise you to take iron supplements to treat iron deficiency anemia. If required, your doctor will also address the underlying cause of your iron shortage.

Iron supplements.

To help your body replenish its iron reserves, your doctor could suggest taking over-the-counter iron supplements. The right dosage for you will be determined by your physician. For infants and children, iron is also available in liquid form. You might be told to do the following to increase the likelihood that your body will absorb the iron in the tablets.

Take iron supplements without food. 

Take your iron supplements when your stomach is empty, if at all possible. You might have to take iron supplements with meals, though, as these might cause gastrointestinal distress.

Take iron and antacids separately. 

Medications that provide instant relief from heartburn symptoms may hinder the body's ability to absorb iron. Iron should be taken two hours before or four hours after antacids.

Take iron supplements along with vitamin C.

Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Your doctor may advise taking a vitamin C supplement or an orange juice with your iron tablets.

Constipation might result from iron supplements, so your doctor might also suggest a stool softener. Stools may turn black due to iron, however this is a harmless side effect.

It takes time to treat an iron shortage. To restore your iron levels, you might need to take iron supplements for up to several months. After receiving treatment for about a week, you should start to feel better. Find out from your doctor when your blood should be drawn again to assess your iron levels. To be sure that your iron reserves are regenerated, you may need to take iron supplements for a year or more.

Prevention:

By selecting iron-rich foods, you can lower your risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.


Choose foods high in iron.

Iron-rich foods include:

• Chicken, and red meat

• Fish

• Beans

• Leafy greens with a dark green color, like spinach

• Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins

• Breads

• pasta

• cereals enhanced with iron

• Peas

Select vitamin C-rich foods to enhance the absorption of iron.

When you consume vitamin C-rich foods or citrus juice along with high-iron foods, you can improve your body's absorption of iron. Vitamin C in citrus liquids, like orange juice, assists your body to better absorb dietary iron.

Plus, vitamin C can be found in:

• Broccoli, Kiwi, Grapefruit, and Leafy Greens

• Melons

• Oranges, strawberries, peppers, and

• Tomatoes with Tangerines

Preventing infants from developing iron deficient anemia

For the first year of life, give your baby breast milk or formula with added iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia. It is not advised for babies younger than one year old to drink cow's milk as it is not a healthy source of iron for them. To increase iron intake, start giving your infant pureed meats or cereals supplemented with iron at least twice a day once they turn six months old. Make sure kids don't consume more than 20 ounces (591 milliliters) of milk every day when they are a year old. A diet high in milk frequently substitutes other foods—including meals high in iron—for other foods.

References:

• Merck Manuals. Iron-Deficiency Anemia (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/blood-disorders/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia?query=iron%252520deficiency). Accessed 4/21/2022.

• Kaushansky K, et al. Iron deficiency and overload. In: Williams Hematology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2016. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?sectionid=94304160&bookid=1581&jumpsectionID=94304237&Resultclick=2#1121092571. Accessed Oct. 16, 2016.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health. Iron-Deficiency Anemia (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia). Accessed 4/21/2022.

• Schrier SL, et al. Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Oct. 16, 2016.

• Iron-deficiency anemia. American Society of Hematology. http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Iron-Deficiency.aspx. Accessed Oct. 16, 2016.

• American Family Physician. Iron Deficiency Anemia: Evaluation and Management (https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0115/p98.html). Accessed 4/21/2022.

• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Iron-Deficiency Anemia (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia). Accessed 4/21/2022.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health. Iron-Deficiency Anemia (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia). Accessed 4/21/2022.

• Vitamin C: Fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nhih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/. Accessed Oct. 16, 2016.

• CBC with differential, blood. Mayo Medical Laboratories. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. Accessed Oct. 16, 2016.