Handouts: Iron Deficiency Anemia

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Glossary
Hematocrit: Percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample

Hemoglobin: Protein carried by red blood cells that transports and delivers oxygen throughout your body

Iron metabolism: Body’s process of handling iron

Nutritional deficiency: Lack or shortage of a necessary vitamin, mineral, or element

What is anemia?
Anemia is a below-normal level of hemoglobin* or hematocrit*. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Anemia can be a temporary condition, a consequence of other health conditions, or it can be a chronic problem. People with mild anemia may not have any symptoms or may have only mild symptoms. People with severe anemia may have problems carrying out routine activities and can feel tired or experience shortness of breath with activity.1

How common is iron deficiency anemia?
Anemia due to iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia. In the United States, 7% of toddlers ages 1 to 2 years old and 9-16% of menstruating women are iron deficient.2,3 In the poorest countries in the world, 30-70% of the people have iron deficiency anemia.4

What causes iron deficiency anemia?
Anemia may develop if your body is low in iron. Iron deficiency can be caused by a low-iron diet, not enough iron being absorbed by your body, or bleeding from the digestive tract.2 Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin and without enough hemoglobin, your body will not get the right amount of oxygen. Iron deficiency anemia is also caused by growth spurts in infants and teenagers, or heavy bleeding with normal menstruation. Pregnant women often develop anemia because the growing fetus uses some of the mother’s iron.

What are the effects of untreated iron deficiency anemia?
Fatigue and other symptoms associated with anemia can interfere with your daily activities. Studies show that children with iron deficiency anemia have below-average height and weight. They can also have behavior and learning problems resulting in poor school performance. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy raises the chance of a premature delivery and an underweight baby.4-6

How do I know if I have anemia?
The best way to determine if you have anemia is to discuss your blood counts and changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit with your doctor. Symptoms usually develop when anemia is moderate to severe, and can include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, dizziness, irritability, numbness or coldness in your hands and feet, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, and headache. It is important to see your doctor on a regular basis in order to be tested for possible anemia.

What treatments are available to help me?
Sometimes iron deficiency anemia can be corrected by eating more iron-rich foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, poultry, greenleafy vegetables, and dried fruits. If your iron level is too low to be treated by increasing the intake of iron-rich foods, your doctor may recommend iron pills. Close communication with your doctor will help him or her provide the treatment that is best for you based on what is causing the anemia.

*Normal Lab Values: Normal hemoglobin >12 g/dL for women, >13 g/dL for men; normal hematocrit >36% for women, >39% for men.

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References

  1. National Anemia Action Council. Anemia: A Hidden Epidemic. Los Angeles, CA: HealthVizion Communications, Inc; 2002.
  2. Adamson JW. Iron deficiency and other hypoproliferative anemias. Available at: http://www.harrisonspractice.com.
  3. Iron deficiency. United States, 1999-2000. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51:897-899.
  4. Ramakrishnan U, Yip R. J Nutr. 2002;132(suppl 4):820S-824S.
  5. Grantham-McGregor S, Ani C. J Nutr. 2001;131(suppl 2):649S-666S.
  6. Allen LH. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(suppl 5):1280S-1284S.

Information Handout Disclaimer
This educational material is designed to assist you in your discussion with health care professionals. It is not intended for use as the primary basis for medical judgments or decisions and does not replace personal consultation with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, etc. NAAC disclaims responsibility and liability for the use of any information obtained from this educational material. All of the content comprising this work is the sole and exclusive property of NAAC and may be copied, reproduced, distributed, displayed, posted or transmitted with consent from and proper attribution to NAAC. The content of this handout was developed independently and without any input from the sponsors.

Handouts Last Updated: January 14, 2009