Which department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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The formed elements in the blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which play important roles in cellular metabolism, defense, and hemostasis, respectively. Among them, anemia falls under the category of red blood cell diseases. Iron-deficiency anemia refers to a condition where the body's iron stores are depleted, failing to meet the needs for normal red blood cell production. Before the production of red blood cells is restricted, the body's iron stores are already depleted, but anemia has not yet occurred, a condition we call iron deficiency, also known as the subclinical iron deficiency period clinically. Iron-deficiency anemia is a common red blood cell disease and falls under the category of hematology. Therefore, patients with iron-deficiency anemia should consult a specialist in hematology.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia

Some cases of iron deficiency anemia are preventable, which highlights the importance of education on nutritional knowledge and maternal and child healthcare. This includes improving infant feeding practices, advocating for breastfeeding, and timely introduction of complementary foods. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should appropriately supplement with iron. In areas where hookworm is prevalent, large-scale parasite prevention and control measures should be implemented, and timely treatment of various chronic gastrointestinal bleeding disorders should be carried out to reduce iron loss. Additionally, increasing iron intake can help prevent and control iron deficiency anemia. Also, high-risk groups, including infants, preterm babies, twins, pregnant women, individuals who have undergone gastrectomy, and those who frequently donate blood, should prevent and supplement with oral iron supplements for treatment.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can iron deficiency anemia be cured?

Iron deficiency anemia is treatable, but it is essential to identify the cause of the iron deficiency. The treatment of iron deficiency anemia is divided into two main parts. The first part involves iron supplementation, which can be administered orally or intravenously, with intravenous supplementation generally being more effective and faster. The second part is crucial: identifying the cause of the iron deficiency. For example, common causes in women of childbearing age include heavy menstrual periods, while older patients often suffer from gastrointestinal tumors or ulcers, and in children, the common cause is usually nutritional deficiency. It is vital to treat the underlying cause.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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The key to curing iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia, a common and frequently occurring disease in the department of hematology, is not difficult to diagnose and treat. The key to treatment lies in addressing the cause of the iron deficiency, and it is essential to eliminate the underlying causes as much as possible. Using iron supplements alone can only restore blood counts; neglecting the primary disease will not lead to a complete cure of the anemia and can easily lead to recurrence. Treatment consists of two phases: first, the supplementation with iron supplements. After taking iron supplements for three to four days, an increase in reticulocytes will occur, reaching a peak around seven days, and hemoglobin will significantly rise after two weeks of medication, returning to normal levels after one to two months. However, after hemoglobin levels normalize, some patients may stop taking the medication. It is important to note that continuing to take iron supplements for three months is necessary to replenish the body's iron stores completely.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Iron deficiency anemia clinical symptoms

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia include symptoms caused by ischemia-induced tissue and organ hypoxia, as well as specific clinical signs associated with iron deficiency. Common clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia often include dizziness, headache, fatigue, easy tiring, memory decline, shortness of breath and palpitations after activities, and even symptoms such as tinnitus and blurred vision. Specific signs of iron deficiency include stomatitis, glossitis, atrophic gastritis, dry skin, brittle and falling hair, flat or spoon-shaped nails that are thin and prone to cracking. Some patients may also experience pica and difficulty swallowing, all of which are clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.

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Iron deficiency anemia lacks iron.

Iron deficiency anemia is an anemia caused by the lack of stored iron in the body, affecting the synthesis of hemoglobin. It is characterized by a lack of stainable iron in the bone marrow, liver, spleen, and other organ tissues, as well as decreased serum iron concentration, transferrin saturation, and ferritin levels, typically presenting as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Thus, iron deficiency anemia refers to a deficiency of iron. Iron is an essential trace element in the human body, involved in cellular functions and metabolic processes. The body has a strict regulatory mechanism for iron metabolism to ensure that iron levels are always maintained at a normal level, referred to as iron homeostasis. Iron homeostasis relies crucially on the balance between intestinal iron absorption and the body's iron requirements. Once this balance is disrupted, problems in iron distribution, absorption, transport, and storage may occur, leading to iron deficiency anemia.