How is iron deficiency anemia diagnosed?

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia includes two aspects: one is to establish whether there is anemia caused by iron deficiency, and the other is to clarify the cause of the iron deficiency. First, we need to carefully inquire and analyze the medical history, combined with the patient's physical examination, which can provide a series of clues for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. A definitive diagnosis also requires laboratory evidence. Clinically, we can divide iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia into three stages: iron deficiency, iron-deficient erythropoiesis, and iron deficiency anemia. The following describes the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency anemia specifically. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by a significant reduction in hemoglobin in red blood cells, presenting as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Its diagnostic basis includes three aspects: first, conforming to the diagnosis of iron deficiency and iron-deficient erythropoiesis; second, having microcytic hypochromic anemia; and third, effective treatment with iron supplements. These three factors together can confirm the diagnosis of this disease.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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What to eat for dietary supplementation in iron deficiency anemia

The dietary plan for patients with iron-deficiency anemia first involves increasing the intake of iron-rich foods, such as animal liver, blood, soybeans, black fungus, sesame paste, brown sugar, lean meat, egg yolks, pork and lamb kidneys, and dried fruits. Second, it is recommended to appropriately supplement with vitamin C, as taking iron supplements and vitamin C together can increase iron absorption, thereby achieving better iron supplementation effects. Thirdly, patients are advised to change their dietary habits to increase the intake and bioavailability of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B2, folic acid, and vitamin B12, which are involved in the production of red blood cells. Supplementing these nutrients can also enhance the utilization of iron from food, thereby assisting in the treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Consequences of untreated iron deficiency anemia

Any anemia, if not treated, will only get worse over time, including iron-deficiency anemia. Prolonged anemia can impact various organ systems throughout the body. In the nervous system, it can cause headaches, dizziness, insomnia, frequent dreams, and memory decline. In children, iron-deficiency anemia can even affect intellectual development. In the respiratory system, it can lead to deeper and faster breathing, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. In the circulatory system, it can manifest as low blood volume, and long-term severe anemia can lead to anemic heart disease, causing arrhythmias and heart failure. In the digestive system, it can manifest as reduced appetite, and in severe cases, it can cause constipation, diarrhea, etc.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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What is good to eat for iron deficiency anemia?

The treatment of iron deficiency anemia mainly includes two aspects. One is the treatment targeted at correcting anemia caused by iron deficiency, and the other is identifying the cause of iron deficiency in the body and correcting it. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by chronic blood loss and a relative deficiency in iron intake due to increased iron demand in the body, which leads to reduced red blood cell production. The main treatment is to supplement with iron-rich medications, and one can also consume more lean meat, pork liver, duck blood, spinach, black fungus, and other foods rich in iron. For patients with iron deficiency anemia, it is crucial to identify the cause of the iron deficiency and provide targeted treatment to fundamentally resolve the issue of iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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What department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?

Iron is one of the essential trace elements for the human body, and it is the most likely to be deficient among trace elements. Iron deficiency can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which is also identified by the World Health Organization as one of the global nutritional deficiency diseases and a major public health nutrition issue in China. According to epidemiological surveys, iron deficiency is related to the following factors: improper feeding during infancy, picky eating and nosebleeds during childhood and adolescence. In women, it is associated with excessive menstrual flow, poor nutrition, inadequate protein intake (especially low intake of animal proteins), inappropriate consumption methods of dairy products, as well as repeated pregnancies, breastfeeding, and certain diseases such as atrophic gastritis, chronic diarrhea, significant gastric resection, and hookworm infections, all of which can cause iron deficiency. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia should consult the department of hematology, as iron deficiency anemia falls under the category of red blood cell disorders within hematology. Of course, infants, children, and adolescents under the age of 14 can visit pediatrics, and a portion of patients, such as pregnant and lactating women, can visit the obstetrics department.

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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.