Iron deficiency anemia: when the cause is the lack of iron

Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of iron. It is the most common type of anemia.

Anemia is defined as a condition characterized by a reduced number of healthy or normal red blood cells, decreased hemoglobin concentration in the blood, or hematocrit levels (normal ranges are between 41% and 53% for men, and 36% and 46% for women) that are below normal.

Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in the blood, and their main function is to capture oxygen and transport it to various tissues throughout the body. This is made possible by hemoglobin, their primary protein, which binds oxygen to iron atoms, enabling its transport through the bloodstream. As a result, anemia disrupts the proper distribution of oxygen to all cells in the body, as the reduction in red blood cells leads to this imbalance.

Iron deficiency causes a significant decrease in red blood cells and disrupts their proper function.

Iron deficiency anemia can result from various causes, including reduced iron stores, blood loss, issues with iron absorption, and insufficient dietary intake of iron. The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia include:

• Losing more red blood cells and iron than the body can replenish
• Frequent, prolonged, or heavy menstrual periods
• Esophageal, stomach, small intestine, or colon cancer
• Esophageal varices, often due to cirrhosis
• Prolonged use of blood-thinning medications, which may cause gastrointestinal bleeding
• Peptic ulcers
• Celiac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Overuse of antacids or antibiotics containing tetracycline
• Insufficient consumption of iron-rich foods

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can range from mild to absent. However, they may include:

• Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or during exercise
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking

As the anemia worsens, symptoms may also include:

• Brittle nails
• Bluish tint to the whites of the eyes
• Craving for ice or non-food substances
• Feeling dizzy upon standing
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Tongue pain or swelling
• Mouth ulcers
• Uncontrollable leg movements
• Hair loss

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia, including:

• Being female: women are generally at higher risk due to blood loss during menstruation
• Being vegetarian: people who do not eat meat may have a higher risk if they do not consume other iron-rich foods
• Frequent blood donation: regular blood donors may have a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia because blood donation can deplete iron stores

Blood tests used to diagnose iron deficiency anemia often include:

• Complete blood count
• Reticulocyte count
• Serum iron levels
• Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
• Serum ferritin levels
• Bone marrow biopsy (if the diagnosis is unclear)

If the anemia is caused by bleeding, additional tests may be conducted to identify the source, such as:

• Colonoscopy
• Fecal occult blood test
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Tests to detect blood loss in the urinary tract or uterus

Iron deficiency anemia is often treated by taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods.

Iron supplementation can be administered orally or intravenously.

The best way to prevent iron deficiency anemia is to follow a balanced and varied diet that includes iron-rich foods.