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 He Li Fang
Hematology
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Characteristics of iron deficiency anemia blood picture

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia are due to the specific characteristics of anemia caused by iron deficiency and the underlying disease causing the iron deficiency. Its hematological characteristics present as typical microcytic hypochromic anemia. What does this concept mean? It refers to the values in a complete blood count where MCV is less than 80 femtoliters, MCH is less than 27 picograms, and MCHC is less than 30%. MCV refers to the average red blood cell volume, MCH refers to the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and MCHC refers to the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of red blood cells. The extent of changes in red blood cell indices correlates with the duration and severity of anemia. The blood smear typically shows pale-stained red blood cells with an enlarged central pallor and varying sizes. Platelet count often tends to be high when there is concurrent bleeding and generally tends to be low in infants and children. White blood cell count is usually normal or slightly reduced, with normal differential. These are the hematological characteristics of iron deficiency anemia.

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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.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can iron deficiency anemia be cured?

Iron deficiency anemia is treatable, but it is essential to identify the cause of the iron deficiency. The treatment of iron deficiency anemia is divided into two main parts. The first part involves iron supplementation, which can be administered orally or intravenously, with intravenous supplementation generally being more effective and faster. The second part is crucial: identifying the cause of the iron deficiency. For example, common causes in women of childbearing age include heavy menstrual periods, while older patients often suffer from gastrointestinal tumors or ulcers, and in children, the common cause is usually nutritional deficiency. It is vital to treat the underlying cause.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Does iron deficiency anemia cause a yellow complexion?

No matter what type of anemia, it manifests as a decrease in hemoglobin. Red blood cells are the main cells that carry oxygen, so patients with anemia will have signs of ischemia and hypoxia to some extent, and anemia manifests as pallor in the skin and mucous membranes. Since Chinese are of the yellow race, the manifestation of anemia in Chinese patients often appears as a yellowish complexion. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia can have a yellowish complexion. Of course, if there is obvious yellowing of the skin and sclera in addition to the yellowish complexion, further tests such as hemolysis indicators are needed to rule out hemolytic anemia, as patients with hemolytic anemia often have concurrent jaundice.

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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.