Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron, leading to the decreased production of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. Show A lack of iron can be caused by several factors. Some of the most common causes of iron deficiency anaemia are outlined below. Monthly periodsIn women of reproductive age, periods are the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. Usually, only women with heavy periods develop iron deficiency anaemia. If you have heavy bleeding over several consecutive menstrual cycles, it's known as menorrhagia. PregnancyIt's also very common for women to develop iron deficiency during pregnancy. This is because your body needs extra iron to ensure your baby has a sufficient blood supply and receives necessary oxygen and nutrients. Some pregnant women require an iron supplement, while others may need to increase the amount of iron in their diet. Read more about vitamins and minerals in pregnancy Gastrointestinal blood lossThe gastrointestinal tract is the part of the body responsible for digesting food. It contains the stomach and intestines. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia in men, as well as women who've experienced the menopause (when monthly periods stop). Most people with gastrointestinal bleeding don't notice any obvious blood in their stools and don't experience any changes in their bowel habits. Some causes of gastrointestinal bleeding are described below. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause bleeding in the stomach. Ibuprofen and aspirin are two commonly prescribed NSAIDs. If your GP thinks your medication is causing gastrointestinal bleeding, they can prescribe a less harmful medicine. However, don't stop taking a medicine you've been prescribed unless your GP advises you to. Stomach ulcersThe acid in your stomach, which helps your body digest food, can sometimes eat into your stomach lining. When this happens, the acid forms an open sore (an ulcer). This is also known as a stomach ulcer or a peptic ulcer. Stomach ulcers can cause the stomach lining to bleed, which can lead to anaemia. In some cases, the bleeding can cause you to vomit blood or pass blood in your stools. However, if the ulcer bleeds slowly, you may not have any symptoms. Gastrointestinal cancerIn a few cases, gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by cancer, usually stomach cancer or bowel cancer. When trying to establish the cause of anaemia, your GP will check for possible signs of cancer. If your GP suspects cancer, you'll be referred to a gastroenterologist (a specialist in treating digestive conditions) for a more thorough examination. This means that if cancer is found, it can be treated as quickly as possible. If you're 60 years old or over and have iron deficiency anaemia, your GP should refer you to a specialist to rule out bowel cancer. Your appointment with the specialist should be within two weeks of your GP referring you. AngiodysplasiaGastrointestinal bleeding can also be caused by a condition called angiodysplasia. This is the result of abnormal, fragile superficial blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause bleeding. Chronic kidney diseasePeople with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often develop iron deficiency anaemia. Most people with CKD who have iron deficiency anaemia will be given iron supplement injections, although daily tablets may be tried first. You can read more about treating anaemia in people with CKD on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website. Other causesOther conditions or actions that cause blood loss and may lead to iron deficiency anaemia include:
MalabsorptionMalabsorption is when your body can't absorb iron from food, and is another possible cause of iron deficiency anaemia. This may happen if you have coeliac disease, a common digestive condition where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten, or surgery to remove all or part of your stomach (gastrectomy). Lack of iron in your dietUnless you're pregnant, it's rare for iron deficiency anaemia to be caused solely by a lack of iron in your diet. However, a lack of dietary iron can increase your risk of developing anaemia if you also have any of the conditions mentioned above. Some studies suggest vegetarians or vegans are more at risk of iron deficiency anaemia because of the lack of meat in their diet. If you are vegetarian or vegan, it is possible to gain enough iron by eating other types of food, such as:
If you're pregnant, you may need to increase the amount of iron-rich food you consume during pregnancy to help prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Read more about vegetarian and vegan diets Medically Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH on July 02, 2020 Iron deficiency anemia is when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Every organ and tissue in your body needs oxygen to work. Without enough oxygen in your blood, and you may feel tired, weak, and short of breath. You get iron deficiency anemia when your body is low in iron. You need iron to make hemoglobin, a protein that helps your red blood cells carry oxygen. Your doctor will find out why your iron is low. Usually, you can treat iron deficiency anemia with supplements. Once your iron levels go up, you should start to feel better. Mild iron deficiency anemia often isn't noticeable. When it gets more severe, you may have these symptoms: Because these can also be symptoms of other conditions, see your doctor to get a diagnosis. It can happen if you don't eat enough foods containing iron, your body can't properly absorb iron, you lose iron through your blood, or you’re pregnant. Your diet is low in iron. How much iron you need depends on your age and gender. Men need at least 8 milligrams daily. Women ages 50 and younger need more -- 18 milligrams. Your body can't absorb iron. Iron from the foods you eat is absorbed in your small intestine. Conditions like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease can make it harder for your intestines to absorb iron. Surgery such as gastric bypass that removes part of your intestines, and medicines used to lower stomach acid can also affect your body's ability to absorb iron. Blood loss. Some conditions can make you bleed inside your body, including: Heavy periods. Women with heavy periods can become low in iron. Injuries. Any injury that causes you to lose blood can cause iron deficiency anemia. Frequent blood donations. You should wait at least 8 weeks between blood donations. Pregnancy. When you’re expecting, you need extra iron to nourish your growing baby. If you don't get enough iron from your diet or supplements, you can become deficient. End-stage kidney failure. If you are getting dialysis for end-stage kidney failure, you can lose blood. Some people with end-stage kidney failure also take medications that can cause iron-deficiency anemia. Medications. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause internal gastrointestinal bleeding. Proton pump inhibitors, used to control acid reflux, can prevent your body from absorbing enough iron. Chronic health conditions that cause inflammation. This can include congestive heart failure as well as obesity. Different factors can raise your risk of getting iron deficiency anemia. Some can be changed and some cannot. Risk factors include: Age. Children aged 6 months to 2 years, teens, and adults over the age of 65 are most at risk. Lifestyle. This can include exercising a lot (including endurance sports) and not eating enough foods rich in iron. Lead. Lead from water or from environmental sources can get in the way of making red blood cells. Family history and genetics. Two inherited diseases, hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, can cause you to bleed more and lose iron. Gender. Girls and women who have heavy periods or are pregnant or breastfeeding need more iron. Your doctor will do one or more of these blood tests to find out if you have iron deficiency anemia.
If blood tests show you have iron deficiency anemia, you might need other tests like these to see what's causing it.
You can treat iron deficiency anemia by taking iron supplements. Most people take 150 to 200 milligrams each day, but your doctor will recommend a dose based on your iron levels. Taking vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron. You might need to take iron supplements for a few months or more to get your levels to normal. If your intestines don't absorb iron well, you can take iron straight into your bloodstream through an intravenous tube (IV). But be warned: Iron supplements can cause constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, and dark-colored poop. Your symptoms should start to go away after about a week. Your doctor will check your blood to see if your anemia has improved. You can also get more iron in your diet by eating more of these foods: Eating foods high in iron may also prevent anemia. If supplements don't help with your symptoms or your anemia is severe, you might need a transfusion of red blood cells. Or, if you have an ulcer, tumor, or other growth, it may need to be treated with medicines or surgery. If you don’t know you have iron deficiency anemia or if you know you have it but aren’t getting the right treatment, you could end up with complications such as: |
How long does it take to get iron blood levels up?
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