Iron Deficiency Anemia: An Overview

Iron deficiency anemia is an inadequate red blood cell count, or hemoglobin level, as a result of insufficient iron. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. Iron is a large component of hemoglobin, and normally extra iron is stored in the body until is needed to produce new red blood cells. Some people have little or no iron stored in their bodies, but it can be balanced out by increasing iron in the diet. There are three general causes for inadequate amounts of stored iron:1. Not enough iron in the diet to replace the amount that is lost each day: this can be mostly seen in children, pregnant women, and in people on restricted diets.2. A digestive system that is unable to absorb the iron from the diet, either from a disorder or medication that interferes with absorption.3. The stored iron is depleted through an excessive loss of blood, such as heavy menstrual bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding. Iron-deficiency anemia can be diagnosed through a blood test, a test for blood in the stool, or a bone marrow test.SymptomsSymptoms for iron deficiency anemia include: - Pale skin and eyes - Weakness […]

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