Causes of iron deficiency anaemia include:
Iron deficiency anaemia is a common form of anaemia that occurs when the body has insufficient iron to produce haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body’s tissues and removes carbon dioxide (a waste product) from the body.
Causes of iron deficiency anaemia include:
Lack of adequate iron in the diet is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. Vegetarians are at higher risk because meat is high in iron.
Iron is essential for the growth and development of the foetus. Hence, the requirement of iron increases during pregnancy. Pregnant women may develop iron deficiency anaemia when the increased demand of the body is not compensated by increasing iron intake. Excessive blood loss during childbirth can also cause iron deficiency.
Women who suffer from heavy menstrual flow may develop iron deficiency anaemia.
Certain conditions that cause internal bleeding may increase the risk of iron deficiency anaemia. Such conditions include peptic ulcers, polyps in the intestines, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer. Regular use of medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg. ibuprofen, aspirin) may also cause bleeding in the stomach.
Disorders affecting the intestines may interfere with the process of absorption of nutrients from the food. As a result, you may develop a deficiency of vitamins and minerals including iron in spite of eating a nutritious diet.
Excessive blood loss caused due to uterine conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids can lead to iron deficiency anaemia.
The common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include:
A Full Blood Count determines the quantity of different components of the blood. The following parameters determine if a patient is anaemic:
Tests such as the ferritin and iron level can give an indication of your iron stores and whether you are iron deficient.
Depending on your specific symptoms, our doctor may recommend additional tests to identify the underlying cause. These include:
Even if the cause of iron deficiency can be identified and treated, it is still usually necessary to increase iron intake. Click here to learn more about iron therapy.
There are several ways in which to increase iron intake:
Foods high in iron:
Vitamin C helps to improve iron absorption so consuming fruits high in vitamin C such as oranges will help to increase the iron level. Vitamin C supplements may be prescribed.
Oral iron therapy offers an easy and convenient way to replenish iron stores. It is the recommended treatment for patients who suffer from mild iron deficiency anaemia where there is no urgency to replenish the iron stores quickly.
As antacids may reduce the absorption of iron, it is advisable to avoid taking iron supplements together with antacids or medications that relieve heartburn. You may take iron supplements 4 hours after or 2 hours before the doses of antacids.
Intravenous iron is the recommended therapy for patients suffering from severe iron deficiency or existing intestinal conditions that affect the absorption of oral iron supplements.
Red blood cell transfusions may be given to patients with severe iron deficiency anaemia who are actively bleeding or have significant symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or weakness. Transfusions are given to replace deficient red blood cells and will not completely correct the iron deficiency.
The information on the Centre For Clinical Haematology website is intended for educational use. It should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health professional.
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