Consequences of untreated iron deficiency anemia

Written by Zhang Xiao Le

Hematology

Updated on January 16, 2025

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Any anemia, if not treated, will only get worse over time, including iron-deficiency anemia. Prolonged anemia can impact various organ systems throughout the body. In the nervous system, it can cause headaches, dizziness, insomnia, frequent dreams, and memory decline. In children, iron-deficiency anemia can even affect intellectual development. In the respiratory system, it can lead to deeper and faster breathing, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. In the circulatory system, it can manifest as low blood volume, and long-term severe anemia can lead to anemic heart disease, causing arrhythmias and heart failure. In the digestive system, it can manifest as reduced appetite, and in severe cases, it can cause constipation, diarrhea, etc.

Other Voices

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Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 19sec

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Can people with iron deficiency anemia drink tea?

The first aspect of treating patients with iron deficiency anemia is etiological treatment. It is necessary to remove the causes of iron deficiency as much as possible. While simple iron supplementation can restore blood indices, if the primary disease is not actively treated, it cannot fundamentally solve anemia. If left untreated, anemia in patients is prone to recurrence. Secondly, iron supplementation is the clinical priority, with oral iron supplements being the most commonly used treatment. Ferrous preparations such as ferrous succinate and ferrous fumarate are most often used. These medications are generally taken with meals or after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. This raises the issue of whether patients with iron deficiency anemia can drink tea. When iron supplements are taken with tea, they can bind with the tannins in the tea to form an insoluble precipitate that is difficult to absorb. Thus, it is clinically advised that patients with iron deficiency anemia should avoid drinking tea, as it can reduce the absorption of iron and thus result in suboptimal treatment outcomes.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

1min 11sec

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Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in babies

Any age can develop the disease, but it is most commonly seen between six months and two years old, with a relatively slow onset. Generally, there is a gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, most notably in the eyes, lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Affected children tend to be fatigued and less active, and older children may experience symptoms such as dizziness and darkening before the eyes. Physical examination may reveal enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; the more severe the anemia, the more pronounced the enlargement. Anemia can lead to a decreased appetite, and in some cases, pica, such as a craving to eat non-food items like soil or walls, may occur. Symptoms may also include vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, and stomatitis. There is a general listlessness, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and intelligence that may be lower than peers of the same age. Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to decreased cellular immune function, making infections more likely.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le

Hematology

1min 1sec

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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 He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 14sec

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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le

Hematology

52sec

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Hazards of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women

The harm of iron deficiency anemia in women is related to the severity of the anemia. Mild anemia generally has no obvious clinical symptoms; moderate anemia often presents with fatigue, palpitations and shortness of breath after activity, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, frequent dreams, reduced appetite, and poor digestive function; severe anemia can affect the quality of life, with symptoms of palpitations and shortness of breath even with slight activity, and can severely impact the quality of life. The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women is due to increased menstrual flow. Additional examinations, such as gynecological ultrasound, are necessary to clarify the presence of conditions like uterine fibroids or adenomyosis, and to provide targeted treatment.