It's treated with iron tablets prescribed by a GP and by eating iron-rich foods. Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia that are not usually connected to pregnancy include:. If the reason for the anaemia is not clear, they might order some tests to find out what might be causing the symptoms.
This will find out if the number of red blood cells you have your red blood cell count is normal. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. There are other types, like vitamin B12 and folate anaemia, that the blood test will also check for. Once the reason you have anaemia has been found for example, an ulcer or heavy periods the GP will recommend treatment. If the blood test shows your red blood cell count is low, you'll be prescribed iron tablets to replace the iron that's missing from your body.
If your doctor is concerned that internal bleeding is causing your anemia, additional tests may be needed. One test you may have is fecal occult test to look for blood in your feces. Blood in your feces may indicate bleeding in your intestine. Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy , in which they use a small camera on a flexible tube to view the linings of your gastrointestinal tract. An EGD test , or upper endoscopy, allows a doctor to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of the small intestine.
A colonoscopy , or lower endoscopy, allows a doctor to examine the lining of the colon, which is the lower portion of the large intestine.
These tests can help identify sources of gastrointestinal bleeding. Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding, and uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to experience iron deficiency anemia. Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman bleeds more or longer than women typically bleed during menstruation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , typical menstrual bleeding lasts for 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood lost ranges from 2 to 3 tablespoons. Women with excess menstrual bleeding typically bleed for more than seven days and lose twice as much blood as normal.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , an estimated 20 percent of women of childbearing age have iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant women are even more likely to have iron deficiency anemia because they require greater amounts of blood to support their growing babies. They occur when muscular tumors grow in the uterus.
The condition can usually be corrected easily. However, if anemia or iron deficiency is left untreated, it can lead to other health problems. This can lead to irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, it can lead to heart failure or an enlarged heart. In severe cases of iron deficiency, a child may be born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Most pregnant women take iron supplements as part of their prenatal care to prevent this from happening.
Infants and children who are severely deficient in iron may experience delayed growth and development. They may also be more prone to infections. Iron tablets can help restore iron levels in your body. If possible, you should take iron tablets on an empty stomach, which helps the body absorb them better. If they upset your stomach, you can take them with meals. You may need to take the supplements for several months.
Iron supplements may cause constipation or black stools. This is because too much iron can damage your organs. Do not stop taking your prescribed iron supplements without first talking to your doctor. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing side effects such as a bad metallic taste, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.
Your doctor may be able to recommend options such as taking your supplements with food, lowering the dose, trying a different type of iron supplement, or receiving intravenous IV iron. If iron supplements alone are not able to replenish the levels of iron in your body, your doctor may recommend a procedure, including:. If you have chronic kidney disease and iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend erythropoiesis stimulating agents esa. These medicines stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
ESAs are usually used with iron therapy or IV iron, or when iron therapy alone is not enough. After being diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, it is important to follow your treatment plan. Your doctor may recommend additional follow-up care and lifestyle changes to avoid complications.
Your doctor may be able to recommend options such as taking your supplement with food, lowering the dose, trying a different type of iron supplement, or receiving intravenous IV iron. You may have fatigue and other symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia until your iron levels return to normal, which can take months.
Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, especially if you experience chest pain or feel like your heart is beating irregularly. Tell any doctors you see for other conditions that you have iron-deficiency anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia can make other conditions, such as HIV, worse or harder to treat. Tell your doctor what medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines or other supplements.
Iron supplements can change how certain medicines work. Your doctor may suggest check-ups to make sure your iron and hemoglobin levels are improving and staying at healthy levels. Your doctor may:. To prevent complications from iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend heart-healthy eating and choosing iron-rich foods, especially during certain stages of life when more iron is needed, such as childhood and pregnancy.
Good sources of iron are meat, poultry, fish, and iron-fortified foods that have iron added. Vegetarian diets can provide enough iron if you choose nonmeat sources of iron, including iron-fortified breads and cereals, beans, tofu, dried fruits, and spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables. You can also take an iron supplement. Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, especially if you experience chest pain or feel your heart is beating irregularly.
Talk to your doctor about returning to everyday activities. Because iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel weak, you should be cautious when resuming certain activities, such as physical activity.
Older adults, who are more likely to fall, should be especially cautious when resuming activities. We are committed to advancing science and translating discoveries into clinical practice to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders, including iron-deficiency anemia.
Learn about the current and future NHLBI efforts to improve health through research and scientific discovery. Learn about the following ways that NHLBI continues to translate current research into improved health for people with iron-deficiency anemia. In support of our mission , we are committed to advancing research on anemia, in part through the following ways. We lead or sponsor many studies related to iron-deficiency anemia.
See if you or someone you know is eligible to participate in our clinical trials. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials. Visit Children and Clinical Studies to hear experts, parents, and children talk about their experiences with clinical research. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia that occurs if you do not have enough iron in your body. More severe iron-deficiency anemia may cause fatigue or tiredness, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
If your doctor diagnoses you with iron-deficiency anemia, your treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the condition.
Your doctor may recommend healthy eating changes, iron supplements, intravenous iron therapy for mild to moderate iron-deficiency anemia, or red blood cell transfusion for severe iron-deficiency anemia. You may need to address the cause of your iron deficiency, such as any underlying bleeding. If undiagnosed or untreated, iron-deficiency anemia can cause serious complications, including heart failure and development delays in children.
Explore this Health Topic to learn more about iron-deficiency anemia, our role in research and clinical trials to improve health, and where to find more information.
Causes - Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Blood loss. Common causes of blood loss that lead to iron-deficiency anemia include: Bleeding in your GI tract, from an ulcer, colon cancer, or regular use of medicines such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS , such as ibuprofen and naproxen Certain rare genetic conditions such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which causes bleeding in the bowels Frequent blood donation Frequent blood tests, especially in infants and small children Heavy menstrual periods Injury or surgery Urinary tract bleeding.
Consuming less than recommended daily amounts of iron. Recommended daily iron intake for children and adults. The table lists the recommended amounts of iron, in milligrams mg at different ages and stages of life. Until the teen years, the recommended amount of iron is the same for boys and girls. From birth to 6 months, babies need 0. This number goes up to 11 mg for children ages 7 to 12 months, and down to 7 mg for children ages 1 to 3. From ages 4 to 8, children need 10 mg, and from ages 9 to 13, 8 mg.
From ages 14 to 18, boys need 11 mg, while girls need 15 mg. From ages 19 to 50, men need 8 mg and women need 18 mg. After age 51, both men and women need 8 mg. Pregnant women need 27 mg. Breastfeeding girls under age 18 need 10 mg while breastfeeding women older than 18 need 9 mg.
Problems absorbing iron. A history of gastrointestinal surgery, such as weight-loss surgery—especially gastric bypass—or gastrectomy. Hepcidin blocks the intestine from taking up iron.
Other medical conditions. Other medical conditions that may lead to iron-deficiency anemia include: End-stage kidney failure, where there is blood loss during dialysis. People who have chronic kidney disease also often take other medicines—such as proton pump inhibitors, anticoagulants, or blood thinners—that may cause iron-deficiency anemia.
Proton pump inhibitors interfere with iron absorption, and blood thinners increase the likelihood of bleeding in the GI tract. Inflammation from congestive heart failure or obesity.
These chronic conditions can lead to inflammation that may cause iron-deficiency anemia. Are you curious about how inflammation from chronic diseases can cause iron-deficiency anemia? Read more. Too much milk often takes the place of other foods, including those that are rich in iron.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. More Information Craving and chewing ice: A sign of anemia? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Show references Kaushansky K, et al. Iron deficiency and overload. In: Williams Hematology. New York, N. Accessed Oct.
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