Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on May 10, 2025
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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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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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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 is the fastest way to treat iron deficiency anemia?

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 Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Is donkey-hide gelatin effective for iron deficiency anemia?

Oral consumption of donkey-hide gelatin is ineffective for iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia requires iron supplementation treatment, but while donkey-hide gelatin is rich in collagen, it is not rich in iron, thus it is ineffective for treating iron deficiency anemia through oral consumption. For iron deficiency anemia, a diet rich in iron, such as animal liver, lean meats, and blood products, which are rich in iron, should be pursued. Additionally, it is necessary to avoid strong tea, as it contains tannins that can chelate iron and affect its absorption.

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Written by He Li Fang
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What is good to eat for iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a commonly seen type of nutritional anemia in clinical settings, with many causes. It can be caused by an insufficient intake of dietary iron needed to meet the body's demands. This insufficiency can also arise when the body's requirement for iron increases, or due to certain diseases, such as atrophic gastritis, lack of stomach acid, or the excessive use of antacids, which affect iron absorption. Increased bodily consumption due to conditions like diarrhea or hookworm infection can also lead to iron deficiency. For patients with iron deficiency anemia, it is generally recommended to improve the utilization of dietary iron. The first step is to modify dietary habits and lifestyle. For instance, it is suggested that vegetarians change their dietary patterns to include more iron-rich foods, such as animal liver, beef kidney, and chicken gizzards. Iron-rich vegetarian options include soy, black fungus, sesame paste, brown sugar, and dried fruits. Therefore, it is advisable for patients with iron deficiency anemia to increase their intake of these types of foods.