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 Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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What is the fastest way to treat iron deficiency anemia?

The treatment of iron deficiency anemia mainly includes two aspects: one is iron supplementation, and the other is identifying and correcting the underlying cause of the anemia. Iron supplementation for patients with iron deficiency anemia can be administered orally or via intravenous infusion, the latter of which tends to be faster. Generally, hemoglobin begins to rise about a week after treatment starts, and returns to normal levels within two to three weeks. Even after hemoglobin levels normalize, iron supplementation should continue for three to six months. It is more important to identify and treat the underlying causes of anemia. Common causes of iron deficiency anemia include chronic blood loss, such as from gastrointestinal ulcers or tumors. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia typically need to undergo gastrointestinal endoscopy to identify the specific cause of the iron deficiency.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Does iron deficiency anemia cause tiredness?

Patients with iron-deficiency anemia can exhibit symptoms of fatigue. Anemia is characterized by red blood cells and hemoglobin levels that are below the normal range. Red blood cells are the main cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. Oxygen enters the blood through gas exchange in the lungs and is then delivered throughout the body by red blood cells to supply oxygen. Therefore, patients with anemia will show varying degrees of ischemia and hypoxia. In the nervous system, this can be manifested as lethargy, insomnia, frequent dreaming, tinnitus, blurry vision, fainting, and lack of concentration. As the severity of anemia increases, these symptoms may also worsen. Patients with severe anemia may exhibit significant lethargy and drowsiness.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia consist of symptoms due to the anemia itself, specific manifestations of iron deficiency, and the underlying diseases causing the iron deficiency. The onset of anemia is often insidious, with some patients progressing very slowly. Initially, patients can adapt well to daily life and continue with their work, making it difficult to detect. It is usually not until the anemia becomes moderate to severe and symptoms become apparent that it is discovered. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headaches, weakness, easy fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath after activity. Some patients might also experience a decline in memory and suffer from tinnitus and blurred vision. Some affected children may exhibit delayed growth and development or even abnormal behaviors, which can manifest as irritability, restlessness, inattention in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may develop pica, a specific manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, some patients might suffer from angular cheilitis, glossitis, and even atrophy of the tongue papillae. Severe cases can experience transient blindness and fainting, hence it is crucial to seek medical attention for iron deficiency anemia at the earliest.

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Does iron deficiency anemia cause a yellow complexion?

No matter what type of anemia, it manifests as a decrease in hemoglobin. Red blood cells are the main cells that carry oxygen, so patients with anemia will have signs of ischemia and hypoxia to some extent, and anemia manifests as pallor in the skin and mucous membranes. Since Chinese are of the yellow race, the manifestation of anemia in Chinese patients often appears as a yellowish complexion. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia can have a yellowish complexion. Of course, if there is obvious yellowing of the skin and sclera in addition to the yellowish complexion, further tests such as hemolysis indicators are needed to rule out hemolytic anemia, as patients with hemolytic anemia often have concurrent jaundice.

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Is iron deficiency anemia severe?

Iron deficiency anemia refers to a type of benign anemia that occurs when the body's iron stores are depleted and can no longer meet the needs of normal red blood cell production. Before the production of red blood cells is restricted, the body's iron stores are depleted, but at this time there are no anemic changes in routine blood tests. This condition is referred to as iron deficiency. The characteristic of iron deficiency anemia is the lack of available iron in bone marrow and other tissues, with a decrease in serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. The blood picture, including the bone marrow appearance, presents as a microcytic hypochromic anemia. The severity of iron deficiency anemia depends on the degree of the anemia. Mild anemia generally does not significantly impact the patient's daily activities, as most patients can tolerate it. However, moderate, severe, or very severe anemia can severely affect the patient's body and the essential blood and oxygen supply, leading to tissue ischemia and hypoxia. In severe cases of anemia, some patients may experience palpitations, shortness of breath, heart failure, anemia-induced heart disease, arrhythmias, and even transient fainting, which are serious complications. Therefore, it is advised to treat iron deficiency anemia early and regularly, identify the causes promptly, and address them fundamentally to achieve complete recovery.