What department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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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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Iron deficiency anemia clinical symptoms

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia include symptoms caused by ischemia-induced tissue and organ hypoxia, as well as specific clinical signs associated with iron deficiency. Common clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia often include dizziness, headache, fatigue, easy tiring, memory decline, shortness of breath and palpitations after activities, and even symptoms such as tinnitus and blurred vision. Specific signs of iron deficiency include stomatitis, glossitis, atrophic gastritis, dry skin, brittle and falling hair, flat or spoon-shaped nails that are thin and prone to cracking. Some patients may also experience pica and difficulty swallowing, all of which are clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Iron deficiency anemia lacks iron.

Iron deficiency anemia is an anemia caused by the lack of stored iron in the body, affecting the synthesis of hemoglobin. It is characterized by a lack of stainable iron in the bone marrow, liver, spleen, and other organ tissues, as well as decreased serum iron concentration, transferrin saturation, and ferritin levels, typically presenting as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Thus, iron deficiency anemia refers to a deficiency of iron. Iron is an essential trace element in the human body, involved in cellular functions and metabolic processes. The body has a strict regulatory mechanism for iron metabolism to ensure that iron levels are always maintained at a normal level, referred to as iron homeostasis. Iron homeostasis relies crucially on the balance between intestinal iron absorption and the body's iron requirements. Once this balance is disrupted, problems in iron distribution, absorption, transport, and storage may occur, leading to iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia consist of symptoms due to the anemia itself, specific manifestations of iron deficiency, and the underlying diseases causing the iron deficiency. The onset of anemia is often insidious, with some patients progressing very slowly. Initially, patients can adapt well to daily life and continue with their work, making it difficult to detect. It is usually not until the anemia becomes moderate to severe and symptoms become apparent that it is discovered. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headaches, weakness, easy fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath after activity. Some patients might also experience a decline in memory and suffer from tinnitus and blurred vision. Some affected children may exhibit delayed growth and development or even abnormal behaviors, which can manifest as irritability, restlessness, inattention in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may develop pica, a specific manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, some patients might suffer from angular cheilitis, glossitis, and even atrophy of the tongue papillae. Severe cases can experience transient blindness and fainting, hence it is crucial to seek medical attention for iron deficiency anemia at the earliest.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Iron deficiency anemia should see which department?

Anemia is a condition characterized by a reduction in the total volume of red blood cells in the circulating blood to below normal levels. Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of raw materials for blood production. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body's stored iron is depleted and cannot meet the needs for normal red blood cell production. Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of red blood cell disease and falls within the category of hematology. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia should seek treatment in the department of hematology.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Iron deficiency anemia clinical manifestations

Iron deficiency anemia presents in a variety of ways, including symptoms of anemia and iron deficiency. The main manifestation is tissue and organ hypoxia caused by iron deficiency, and severe iron deficiency anemia can lead to mucosal tissue changes and ectoderm nutritional disorders. Among the symptoms, we can find that in the early stages, the symptoms are relatively concealed and hard to detect. Patients with a slow progression can often adapt well in the early stages and are able to engage in daily work. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headache, fatigue, and tiredness, along with palpitations and shortness of breath after activity, and even symptoms such as blurred vision and tinnitus. For patients with iron deficiency, specific symptoms include angular cheilitis, atrophy of the tongue papillae, glossitis, and severe iron deficiency patients may experience koilonychia, decreased appetite, nausea, and even constipation. Some patients, particularly children during their growth periods, may exhibit delayed growth and behavioral abnormalities, specifically being irritable and easily angered, having difficulty concentrating in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may also develop pica, which is a special manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. In terms of physical signs, patients may exhibit pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, dry hair, and keratinization of the lips. Nails may be flat, lackluster, and prone to breakage, and a small number of patients may experience mild splenomegaly. These are the clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.