Which department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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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.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The treatment principles for iron deficiency anemia mainly involve two aspects. One is to identify the cause of the iron deficiency anemia. Once the cause is confirmed, fundamental treatment of the cause should be conducted to restore the body's normal iron stores. The second aspect is iron supplementation, which is recommended to be administered orally. The daily supplemental iron dose is approximately 150 to 200 milligrams, typically using ferrous preparations such as ferrous succinate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, and iron dextran. It is suggested that iron supplements be taken with meals or after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation caused by the medication. Additionally, it is advised to avoid consuming tea, coffee, and other substances that could interfere with iron absorption during the treatment period.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Does iron deficiency anemia cause tiredness?

Patients with iron-deficiency anemia can exhibit symptoms of fatigue. Anemia is characterized by red blood cells and hemoglobin levels that are below the normal range. Red blood cells are the main cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. Oxygen enters the blood through gas exchange in the lungs and is then delivered throughout the body by red blood cells to supply oxygen. Therefore, patients with anemia will show varying degrees of ischemia and hypoxia. In the nervous system, this can be manifested as lethargy, insomnia, frequent dreaming, tinnitus, blurry vision, fainting, and lack of concentration. As the severity of anemia increases, these symptoms may also worsen. Patients with severe anemia may exhibit significant lethargy and drowsiness.

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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 He Li Fang
Hematology
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What is good to eat for iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a commonly seen type of nutritional anemia in clinical settings, with many causes. It can be caused by an insufficient intake of dietary iron needed to meet the body's demands. This insufficiency can also arise when the body's requirement for iron increases, or due to certain diseases, such as atrophic gastritis, lack of stomach acid, or the excessive use of antacids, which affect iron absorption. Increased bodily consumption due to conditions like diarrhea or hookworm infection can also lead to iron deficiency. For patients with iron deficiency anemia, it is generally recommended to improve the utilization of dietary iron. The first step is to modify dietary habits and lifestyle. For instance, it is suggested that vegetarians change their dietary patterns to include more iron-rich foods, such as animal liver, beef kidney, and chicken gizzards. Iron-rich vegetarian options include soy, black fungus, sesame paste, brown sugar, and dried fruits. Therefore, it is advisable for patients with iron deficiency anemia to increase their intake of these types of foods.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in children?

Iron deficiency anemia can manifest as: 1. Gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, especially noticeable on the lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Older children may experience dizziness, darkening before the eyes, and tinnitus. Additionally, anemia can lead to extramedullary hematopoiesis, and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes can occur. The younger the age and the longer the duration of the disease, the more severe the anemia and the more prominent the enlargement of the liver and spleen. 2. In terms of gastrointestinal tract: reduced appetite, pica, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomatitis may occur. 3. Nervous system manifestations include: restlessness or lethargy, lack of concentration, reduced memory, and intelligence often lower than peers of the same age. 4. Cardiovascular system: an increased heart rate may be observed, and in severe cases, cardiac enlargement and even heart failure can occur. 5. Immune system: Iron deficiency can affect hematopoietic function, often leading to reduced cell-mediated immune function and combined infections.