Iron-Deficiency

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Anaemia is a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells in your body to carry sufficient oxygen to tissues of your body.1 In India, 57% of women aged between 15-49 years are anaemic.2

The most common type of anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia.3 Iron deficiency anaemia is a form of anaemia that occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce normal red blood cells.4 Iron is a mineral required by your body to produce haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a part of your red blood cells and helps in carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.5,6 Every organ and tissue in your body requires oxygen to function.7 If you have iron deficiency anaemia, you may experience weakness, shortness of breath, headache, etc.1

References:
1. Mayo Clinic. Anemia. [Internet] 2022 Feb 11 [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360
2. Government of India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-2021 India Report. [Internet] 2022 March [cited 2023 Jan 19]. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf
3. Petranovic D, Batinac T, Petranovic D, et al. Iron deficiency anaemia influences cognitive functions. Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(1):70-2.
4. Johnson-Wimbley TD, Graham DY. Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia in the 21st century. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2011;4(3):177-84.
5. Drugs.com. Iron rich diet. [Internet] 2023 Jan 15 [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/cg/iron-rich-diet.html
6. National Health Service. Red blood cell count. [Internet] 2022 Jul 06 [cited 2023 Feb 10]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/red-blood-count/
7. WebMD. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Aug 08 [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia

Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

If you suffer from any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms,
it is advisable to talk to your doctor.

References:
1. WebMD. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Aug 08 [cited 2023 Jan 19] Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia
2. Mayo Clinic. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Jan 04 [cited 2022 Dec 26]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

References:

1. WebMD. Dietary iron and iron supplements. [Internet] 2021 Nov 06 [cited 2023 Feb 07]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-iron#:~:text=Iron%20is%20a%20mineral%20that’s,level%20of%20red%20blood%20cells
2. WebMD. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Aug 08 [cited 2022 Dec 26]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Iron-deficiency anemia. [Internet] [cited 2023 Jan 19]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/irondeficiency-anemia

How is Iron Deficiency Anaemia Diagnosed?

References:
1. WebMD. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Aug 08 [cited 2022 Dec 26]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia
2. Tietze K. Chapter 5 – Review of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2012. DOI:10.1016/B978-0-323-07738-5.10005-5.
3. WebMD. Complete blood count (CBC) test. [Internet] 2022 Mar 04 [cited 2023 Feb 10]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/complete-blood-count
4. Düzenli Kar Y, Özdemir ZC, Emir B, et al. Erythrocyte indices as differential diagnostic biomarkers of iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2020;42(3):208-13.
5. National Health Service. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin test. [Internet] 2022 Jul 06 [cited 2023 Feb 15]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tibc-test
6. Vishnoi V, Awasthi DK, Awasthi G. Iron deficiency anemia: A review. WJPMR. 2022;8(8),127-40.
7. Mayo Clinic. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Jan 04 [cited 2022 Dec 26]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355040
8. WebMD. What is a pelvic ultrasound? [Internet] 2021 Apr 26 [cited 2023 Feb 07]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/women/what-is-a-pelvic-ultrasound

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Background
Background

References:
1. Mayo Clinic. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Jan 04 [cited 2022 Dec 22]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355040
2. WebMD. Iron deficiency anemia. [Internet] 2022 Aug 08 [cited 2022 Dec 26]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia

In-Pregnancy

Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes to nurture and accommodate the developing baby.

Pregnancy causes a two- to three-fold increase in iron requirement.1 Iron is used by the body to produce more blood to supply oxygen to the baby.2

You are at increased risk of iron deficiency anaemia if you are pregnant. Iron deficiency anaemia refers to a condition in which you have insufficient healthy red blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen to the tissues all over the body. Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy is associated with having a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression (depression after childbirth).

References:
1. Soma-Pillay P, Nelson-Piercy C, Tolppanen H, et al. Physiological changes in pregnancy. Cardiovasc J Afr. 2016;27(2):89-94.
2. Mayo Clinic. Pregnancy week by week. [Internet] 2022 Feb 09 [cited 2022 Dec 22]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/anemia-during-pregnancy/art-20114455

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy

Background
Background
References:
1. Mahayasa PD, Winata IG, Setiawan WA. Iron deficiency anemia treatment in pregnancy. European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences. 2022;4(4):36-7.