Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

What causes iron deficiency anaemia?

Blood loss is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. It might not always be obvious, such as when it occurs due to trauma, surgery, or in women with heavy menstrual bleeding. For example, slow bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract in some circumstances is not visible and can often go unnoticed. A less common cause of iron deficiency anaemia than blood loss is decreased iron absorption. Your body normally absorbs iron from food in the gastrointestinal tract. However, if the gastrointestinal tract is inflamed, or if you have a condition such as coeliac disease, you might not absorb enough iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anaemia. The lack of iron-rich food is a cause of iron deficiency anaemia in developing countries. In contrast, many developed countries have food with added iron. However, if you are vegetarian or if you don't eat enough red meat, you may not get all the iron you need, because iron is not as readily absorbed from plants as it is from meat. If you are pregnant, you might develop iron deficiency anaemia because of the iron requirements of your growing fetes, as well as the greater volume of circulating blood during pregnancy.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia, a condition caused by low numbers of healthy red blood cells. In iron deficiency anaemia, the anaemia is the result of low levels of iron in the body.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

Sometimes, people with iron deficiency anaemia have no symptoms. When they do, common symptoms include weakness, headache, fatigue, irritability, shortness of breath, and a fast heart rate.

How is iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed?

Because there are many potential causes of iron deficiency anaemia, your doctor will need to take your full medical history and perform a physical examination to identify the most likely cause of iron deficiency or blood loss. Other tests that may …

How is iron deficiency anaemia treated?

To treat iron deficiency anaemia, you may be given oral or intravenous iron supplements. In some cases of iron deficiency anaemia, treatment will focus on treating the root cause, and let the body restore its iron levels naturally.

Can iron deficiency anaemia be prevented?

Eating a balanced diet usually provides you with enough iron to meet your body's needs. If you have had iron deficiency once, you are at increased risk of getting it again, so your doctor may prescribe you daily iron supplementation to prevent iron …

What is the outcome for iron deficiency anaemia?

Treatment continues until your haemoglobin levels return to normal. You may still need to take iron supplements for some time after this to restore your iron stores.

What happens if iron deficiency anaemia occurs during pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and have severe anaemia, it can increase the chances of your baby being born prematurely, having a low birth weight, having problems with their iron levels and poor performance in mental aptitude tests …

What are the side effects of taking medications for iron deficiency anaemia?

Side effects of oral iron include nausea, vomiting and constipation. When delivered intravenously, side effects include dizziness, heart palpitations, itching and an allergic reaction to dextran-based iron …

How common is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia is a common condition, and the most common type of anaemia.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a common condition that occurs when the lungs become inflamed. It causes coughing and difficult breathing. Acute bronchitis refers to the short-term type, and may occur in the aftermath of cold or flu. While the cough may be severe, it typically lasts for only a few weeks.…
Diseases & conditions

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, covers conditions affecting the lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two main conditions, usually caused by smoking. Medications and lifestyle changes can help slow the progression of the disease.…
Diseases & conditions

Asthma

Asthma is a common respiratory condition where irritants trigger the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, which makes breathing difficult. During attacks, individuals may notice wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and/or shortness of breath. It is important to know how to correctly manage and prevent asthma attacks.…
Diseases & conditions

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid gland. It leads to an undersupply of hormones that control metabolism in the body. If hormone levels are not within a normal range, this can affect the whole body, causing a wide range of symptoms and health problems.…
Diseases & conditions

Obstructive sleep apnoea

Sleep Apnoea is a sleep disorder in which breathing stops or is slowed for short periods during sleep. It can cause mild symptoms like daytime tiredness or a morning headache, but can also lead to serious complications that can be life threatening. It is important to treat sleep apnoea.…
Diseases & conditions

Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a hereditary red blood cell disorder than can cause anaemia. Individuals may notice excessive tiredness and yellowing of the skin, called jaundice. It can be treated by regular blood transfusions.…

About this article

Author: Dr Joanne Van der Velden PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 18 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 18 May 2018
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Votes: 1036 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Bronchitis

×

Content goes in here.