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 Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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What to do about vomiting from iron deficiency anemia?

Patients with iron deficiency anemia experiencing vomiting might have the following possible causes: Firstly, iron deficiency can lead to systemic hypoxia, including in the gastrointestinal tract, manifesting as reduced appetite and poor digestion. Severe cases may present with nausea and vomiting. This situation can be addressed by transfusing red blood cells and implementing aggressive iron supplementation to correct the anemia. Once the anemia is corrected, symptoms of nausea and vomiting should disappear. Concurrently, temporary use of anti-emetic medications such as metoclopramide can be considered to help control the vomiting. Secondly, some patients with iron deficiency anemia may have underlying gastric diseases that cause chronic bleeding, including gastric ulcers, gastric mucosal erosion, or even gastric cancer. These gastric diseases themselves can also lead to vomiting, necessitating further investigations like gastroscopy to establish a clear diagnosis and provide targeted treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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What is good to eat for iron deficiency anemia?

The treatment of iron deficiency anemia mainly includes two aspects. One is the treatment targeted at correcting anemia caused by iron deficiency, and the other is identifying the cause of iron deficiency in the body and correcting it. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by chronic blood loss and a relative deficiency in iron intake due to increased iron demand in the body, which leads to reduced red blood cell production. The main treatment is to supplement with iron-rich medications, and one can also consume more lean meat, pork liver, duck blood, spinach, black fungus, and other foods rich in iron. For patients with iron deficiency anemia, it is crucial to identify the cause of the iron deficiency and provide targeted treatment to fundamentally resolve the issue of iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Iron deficiency anemia clinical manifestations

Iron deficiency anemia presents in a variety of ways, including symptoms of anemia and iron deficiency. The main manifestation is tissue and organ hypoxia caused by iron deficiency, and severe iron deficiency anemia can lead to mucosal tissue changes and ectoderm nutritional disorders. Among the symptoms, we can find that in the early stages, the symptoms are relatively concealed and hard to detect. Patients with a slow progression can often adapt well in the early stages and are able to engage in daily work. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headache, fatigue, and tiredness, along with palpitations and shortness of breath after activity, and even symptoms such as blurred vision and tinnitus. For patients with iron deficiency, specific symptoms include angular cheilitis, atrophy of the tongue papillae, glossitis, and severe iron deficiency patients may experience koilonychia, decreased appetite, nausea, and even constipation. Some patients, particularly children during their growth periods, may exhibit delayed growth and behavioral abnormalities, specifically being irritable and easily angered, having difficulty concentrating in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may also develop pica, which is a special manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. In terms of physical signs, patients may exhibit pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, dry hair, and keratinization of the lips. Nails may be flat, lackluster, and prone to breakage, and a small number of patients may experience mild splenomegaly. These are the clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.

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Obstetrics
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How does iron-deficiency anemia affect pregnant women?

First of all, iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is very common, and it is also a very common complication we encounter in prenatal screening. The reason for anemia during pregnancy is due to the increased demand for iron as the fetus grows, and maternal intake is insufficient. Iron deficiency anemia can lead to severe bleeding during childbirth, and if a cesarean section is performed, it may adversely affect the healing of the incision. Furthermore, iron deficiency anemia may affect fetal intelligence. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure proper prenatal screening during pregnancy to prevent severe anemia. If anemia is severe, blood transfusion treatment may be necessary during childbirth or cesarean delivery.

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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.