What is the fastest way to treat iron deficiency anemia?

Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
Updated on April 01, 2025
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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 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.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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The causes of iron deficiency anemia

The causes of iron deficiency anemia primarily refer to the disruption of the normal dynamic balance between iron absorption and excretion, leading to the consumption of stored iron as well as an increased need for iron and insufficient iron intake, especially in cases of chronic blood loss, resulting in a long-term negative iron balance. The causes of iron deficiency can be divided into two main aspects: insufficient iron intake and excessive iron loss. In the first aspect, decreased iron intake includes dietary insufficiency, meaning inadequate food intake, and reduced absorption, which includes decreased absorption due to lack of stomach acid and reduced absorption following gastric surgery. Excessive iron loss includes the following eight aspects: 1) gastrointestinal bleeding, which includes bleeding caused by tumors, gastrointestinal ulcers, gastritis, as well as bleeding due to parasites and hookworm infections. It also includes bleeding caused by hemorrhoids in men and arteriovenous malformations; 2) excessive menstrual bleeding; 3) frequent blood donations; 4) multiple pregnancies in women; 5) chronic intravascular hemolysis causing hemoglobinuria; 6) hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia; 7) primary pulmonary hemosiderosis; and 8) coagulation disorders or the use of anticoagulants leading to iron deficiency. These eight categories all result from excessive loss of iron, causing iron deficiency which leads to iron deficiency anemia.

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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 Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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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 He Li Fang
Hematology
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What department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

Anemia refers to a condition in which the total volume of red blood cells in the circulating blood is reduced below normal levels, resulting in anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of hematopoietic raw materials. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body's stored iron is depleted and cannot meet the needs for normal red blood cell production. As the most common type of red blood cell disease, iron deficiency anemia falls within the category of hematology. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia should seek specialized consultation in the department of hematology. Furthermore, we recommend seeking medical advice as early as possible since moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia can lead to a series of circulatory disorders, thereby exacerbating the condition.