Skip to main content

Anemia, Iron Deficiency

Deborah R. Erlich, FAAFP, MMedEd, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Low serum iron associated with low hemoglobin (Hgb) or microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells (RBCs)

  • Because normal Hgb varies with age and sex, anemia is defined as Hgb level 2 stan...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Asymptomatic in most cases; symptoms may occur in severe anemia:

    • Weakness, fatigue, malaise, headaches, and/or inability to concentrate

    • Exertional dyspnea

    • Angina with coronary artery dis...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Search for underlying cause and correct it.

  • Avoid transfusions, except in rare cases.

MEDICATION

  • Elemental iron 100–200 mg/day for adults (whether pregnant or not) (2)

  • Elemental...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Monitor patients every 3 months after Hgb normalizes for a year and then yearly (1)[C].

  • Hgb increases 1 g/dL every 3 to 4 weeks.

  • Iron stores may ...

REFERENCES

1
Short  MW, Domagalski  JE. Iron deficiency anemia: evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician.  2013;87(2):98–104. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

National Institutes for Health Office for Dietary Supplements. Iron: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/ Accessed Septem...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Anemia 

CODES

ICD10

  • D50.9 Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified

  • D50 Iron deficiency anemia

  • O99.01 Anemia complicating pregnancy

  • D50.1 Sideropenic dysphagia

  • D50.0 Iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss (chron...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) due to poor dietary iron intake is the most common anemia.

  • Blood loss and reduced iron stores due to poor utilization or malabsorption are risk factors for ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×