Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition which occurs due to low iron leading to decreased haemoglobin levels in your blood.
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Iron deficiency anaemia, as the name suggests, is commonly associated with iron deficiency. It is a condition wherein your body doesn’t have the required amount of iron that your body needs to make haemoglobin (an iron-rich protein present in blood). So, your haemoglobin levels become very low. This can be due to various things, but low levels of iron is the most common reason.
With iron deficiency anaemia, your body has low haemoglobin levels. So, it becomes difficult for the red blood cells to transport enough oxygen from your lungs to all the organs and tissues in your body. Oxygen is a significant element in your blood as it helps the body to function well. So, when your body carries less oxygen than normal, you may feel tired, cold and weak.
Iron deficiency anaemia can impact your health and lead to a decrease in quality of life, so treatment can be crucial. Changing your diet can help, but often supplements are also necessary to quickly increase your red blood cells.
Who gets iron deficiency anaemia?
Anyone can get iron deficiency anaemia, especially if their diets aren’t rich in iron or other nutrients and they live a sedentary lifestyle. But some population groups are more at risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia than others.
Age can also be a big factor. Infants and children, from the age of six months to two years, can be at risk if the milk that they drink or food they eat isn’t fortified with iron. Teens can be a risk group too, especially during growth spurts, as well as people over the age of 65.
Women between the ages of 14 and 50 need more iron than men of the same age, and can be at a greater risk of iron deficiency as a result. This can be especially true during heavy periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or shortly after delivering a baby.
How common is iron deficiency anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia is a very common condition, but luckily it’s often curable with a combination of dietary changes and iron supplements.
Iron deficiency anaemia is a major health problem in India. Studies reveal the following figures in terms of prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Iron deficiency anaemia
What causes iron deficiency anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia can be temporary or long-term, and can range from mild to severe. It mainly occurs due to low levels of iron in your body, nutritional deficiencies or blood loss. So, it is important to include iron-rich foods like chickpea, spinach, mustard leaves, fenugreek leaves, nuts, soybean, meat, fish, lentils in your diet along with iron supplements that your doctor prescribes for you.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?
In the early stages of iron deficiency anaemia, it can be so mild that you don’t notice any symptoms. But usually, as iron deficiency anaemia worsens, your symptoms become more noticeable.
The most common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include: fatigue that persists all day and doesn’t get better with sleep, loss of breath and getting tired easily during exercise.
In some cases, you can become tired while doing regular day to day activities, or experience paleness and heart palpitations.
Some less common side effects can include dizziness, cold feet and hands, headaches and chest pains.
Can iron deficiency anaemia lead to other problems?
Untreated iron deficiency anaemia can greatly affect your quality of life, immune system, and lead to some other health issues, including:
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Iron deficiency anaemia
What medications are there for iron deficiency anaemia?
The type of treatment will depend on the type of iron deficiency anaemia that you’re diagnosed with, but the most common treatment for iron deficiency anaemia is usually for you to take iron supplements, and change your diet to include foods rich in iron such as beans, nuts, liver, red meat, spinach, mustard leaves, fenugreek leaves, lentils, chickpea and soybean. This diet might be slightly different if you’re pregnant.
You’ll be given iron supplements in stronger doses than the ones you can get over-the-counter, and you’ll usually need to take them for around six months. After that period, a doctor will request another blood test to make sure that your iron and other vitamin levels are back to acceptable levels. And if not, your treatment might need to be extended.
Is there a ‘best’ treatment for iron deficiency anaemia?
Having an iron-rich diet regularly can be considered as the ‘best’ treatment for iron deficiency anaemia. If your diet lacks iron-rich foods, it may affect the way your body absorbs iron and cause iron-deficiency anaemia.
Iron rich diets help improve your blood iron levels as well as your haemoglobin levels. Adding more vitamin C to your diet, or taking vitamin C supplements alongside the iron supplements, can also be very effective. This is because vitamin C helps your body absorb iron better.
You should always follow the instructions of our doctor to get the most out of your treatment.
Does iron deficiency anaemia always need treatment?
Changing your diet to include more iron-rich foods can be very helpful, but if you’ve been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia and it’s severe enough, it’s recommended that you take supplements as well. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements as they’ll be able to suggest the ones that are best suited for you.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Iron deficiency anaemia
FAQ: Iron deficiency anaemia
Have something specific you want to know about Iron deficiency anaemia? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed?
Answer:
To be able to accurately diagnose iron deficiency anaemia, a doctor will recommend a blood test to check your blood iron levels, haemoglobin levels and complete blood count (CBC). Your doctor will then advise treatment based on the results of your blood test.
You don’t need to do anything to prepare for the test, but a doctor may ask you to go in the morning, before your first meal, to make sure that your iron and other vitamin levels aren’t affected by food or drink.
Are there different types of anaemia?
Answer:
Yes, there are many different types of anaemia, which can be broadly explained based on deficiencies or genetic/inherent causes.
Anaemia caused by different nutritional deficiencies include:
iron-deficiency anaemia, which is the most common
folate-deficiency anaemia, caused by diets lacking in folic acid as well as the body’s inability to use folic acid correctly
pernicious anaemia, caused by the body’s inability to absorb vitamin B12
vegetarian or vegan anaemia, which is often found in people who follow meat-free diets and don’t carefully plan their meals in order to include iron-rich foods.
Anaemia that is genetically inherited are:
hemolytic anaemia which can be inherited or acquired, and leads to the body forming deformed red blood cells that die off quickly
sickle cell anaemia, which happens when the red blood cells are deformed
Diamond-Blackfan anaemia, a rare condition which is usually diagnosed during the early years of life
Aplastic anaemia, caused by damaged bone marrow
Fanconi anaemia which is rare and genetic
Mediterranean anaemia, which is also genetic and causes the body to produce insufficient amounts of haemoglobin
Can you get side effects from iron deficiency anaemia treatment?
Answer:
Yes, you can get side effects from any medication. The most common side effects of iron supplements are related to digestion, so it’s often best to take them with your meals to make sure that you don’t get any uncomfortable symptoms, such as stomach upset and nausea.
Let your doctor know if you experience some particularly unpleasant side effects from your iron deficiency anaemia treatment. It might be the case that you need to try a different type of treatment.
Does iron deficiency anaemia treatment always work?
Answer:
If you’re taking tablets to treat your iron deficiency anaemia then you’ll need to take them regularly, and as instructed by our doctor. If you don’t take your tablets correctly, the treatment might not work.
Why should I buy iron deficiency anaemia treatment online with Treated?
Answer:
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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