What is the fastest way to treat iron deficiency anemia?

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of storage iron in the body, affecting the synthesis of hemoglobin. It is characterized by a lack of available iron in tissues and organs such as bone marrow, liver, and spleen, with decreased serum iron concentration, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin levels. Typically, iron deficiency anemia presents as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Iron, as one of the essential trace elements in the human body, is contained in all functioning cells and is broadly involved in metabolic processes within the body. Therefore, the treatment principle for iron deficiency anemia involves replenishing sufficient iron until normal iron stores are restored and addressing the underlying causes that led to the iron deficiency to effectively and quickly replenish iron. Oral iron supplements are the preferred treatment option for iron deficiency anemia, such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous succinate, and iron dextran which are effective oral iron agents.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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What department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

Iron is one of the essential trace elements for the human body, and it is the most likely to be deficient among trace elements. Iron deficiency can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which is also identified by the World Health Organization as one of the global nutritional deficiency diseases and a major public health nutrition issue in China. According to epidemiological surveys, iron deficiency is related to the following factors: improper feeding during infancy, picky eating and nosebleeds during childhood and adolescence. In women, it is associated with excessive menstrual flow, poor nutrition, inadequate protein intake (especially low intake of animal proteins), inappropriate consumption methods of dairy products, as well as repeated pregnancies, breastfeeding, and certain diseases such as atrophic gastritis, chronic diarrhea, significant gastric resection, and hookworm infections, all of which can cause iron deficiency. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia should consult the department of hematology, as iron deficiency anemia falls under the category of red blood cell disorders within hematology. Of course, infants, children, and adolescents under the age of 14 can visit pediatrics, and a portion of patients, such as pregnant and lactating women, can visit the obstetrics department.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Which department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

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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What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia that exhibits common symptoms found in all anemia patients. It is characterized by a range of clinical symptoms caused by oxygen deficiency in tissue organs due to a lack of blood in the body. Common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations after activity, easy fatigability, difficulty concentrating, and decreased memory. Some patients may also experience blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and in severe cases, fainting, transient darkening of vision, and even arrhythmias. Because iron deficiency anemia is also accompanied by iron deficiency, it presents a range of clinical symptoms specific to iron deficiency, including pica, angular cheilitis, glossitis, unusual tongue conditions, decreased appetite, and even constipation among other symptoms.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Iron deficiency anemia has the following symptoms:

The clinical manifestations and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia mainly include symptoms of both anemia and iron deficiency. Symptoms in patients with anemia often include dizziness, headache, shortness of breath and palpitations after activity, difficulty concentrating, easy fatigue, blurred vision, tinnitus, and other symptoms. There are also specific signs of iron deficiency such as cheilitis, glossitis, and atrophy of the tongue papillae. In terms of physical signs, we can find that some patients may have spoon nails. Regarding appetite, some patients may experience reduced appetite, nausea, and even constipation, all of which are general symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. Severe cases may even exhibit transient syncope, visual obscurity, and pica as clinical manifestations.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in children?

Iron deficiency anemia can manifest as: 1. Gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, especially noticeable on the lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Older children may experience dizziness, darkening before the eyes, and tinnitus. Additionally, anemia can lead to extramedullary hematopoiesis, and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes can occur. The younger the age and the longer the duration of the disease, the more severe the anemia and the more prominent the enlargement of the liver and spleen. 2. In terms of gastrointestinal tract: reduced appetite, pica, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomatitis may occur. 3. Nervous system manifestations include: restlessness or lethargy, lack of concentration, reduced memory, and intelligence often lower than peers of the same age. 4. Cardiovascular system: an increased heart rate may be observed, and in severe cases, cardiac enlargement and even heart failure can occur. 5. Immune system: Iron deficiency can affect hematopoietic function, often leading to reduced cell-mediated immune function and combined infections.