How long does iron deficiency anemia need to be treated?

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 21, 2024
00:00
00:00

Patients with iron deficiency anemia typically need several months of iron supplementation treatment. The specific reason is that after taking iron supplements, patients' subjective symptoms can recover quickly. The count of reticulocytes generally begins to rise within three to four days after starting the medication, reaching a peak around seven days. Hemoglobin levels notably increase within two weeks of treatment, and generally return to normal around two months. After correcting anemia, it is necessary to continue treatment for at least another three months because the body's iron stores need further supplementation. It is necessary to restore serum ferritin levels to fifty micrograms per liter to replenish these stores fully. This is required to achieve a true cure of iron deficiency anemia, as without this, patients are prone to relapse. Therefore, regular and long-term effective use of iron supplements is an essential basis for ensuring the treatment effectiveness of iron deficiency anemia.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
1min 52sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
1min 11sec home-news-image

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in babies

Any age can develop the disease, but it is most commonly seen between six months and two years old, with a relatively slow onset. Generally, there is a gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, most notably in the eyes, lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Affected children tend to be fatigued and less active, and older children may experience symptoms such as dizziness and darkening before the eyes. Physical examination may reveal enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; the more severe the anemia, the more pronounced the enlargement. Anemia can lead to a decreased appetite, and in some cases, pica, such as a craving to eat non-food items like soil or walls, may occur. Symptoms may also include vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, and stomatitis. There is a general listlessness, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and intelligence that may be lower than peers of the same age. Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to decreased cellular immune function, making infections more likely.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Iron deficiency anemia lacks what element?

Iron deficiency anemia refers to a type of anemia caused by a lack of stored iron in the body, which affects the synthesis of hemoglobin. Its characteristics include a lack of stainable iron in organs such as the bone marrow, liver, and spleen, leading to decreased serum iron concentration, decreased transferrin saturation, and decreased serum ferritin. Typical iron deficiency anemia presents as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Therefore, iron deficiency anemia involves a deficiency in iron, a trace element essential for the human body, which is widely present in cells and participates in the body's metabolic processes. The human body has a strict iron metabolism regulatory mechanism to maintain normal physiological levels. Once this homeostasis is disrupted, it can lead to the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia. Factors that affect the distribution, absorption, transport, and storage of iron can all cause iron deficiency anemia.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
1min 26sec home-news-image

Characteristics of iron deficiency anemia blood picture

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia are due to the specific characteristics of anemia caused by iron deficiency and the underlying disease causing the iron deficiency. Its hematological characteristics present as typical microcytic hypochromic anemia. What does this concept mean? It refers to the values in a complete blood count where MCV is less than 80 femtoliters, MCH is less than 27 picograms, and MCHC is less than 30%. MCV refers to the average red blood cell volume, MCH refers to the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and MCHC refers to the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of red blood cells. The extent of changes in red blood cell indices correlates with the duration and severity of anemia. The blood smear typically shows pale-stained red blood cells with an enlarged central pallor and varying sizes. Platelet count often tends to be high when there is concurrent bleeding and generally tends to be low in infants and children. White blood cell count is usually normal or slightly reduced, with normal differential. These are the hematological characteristics of iron deficiency anemia.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
1min 14sec home-news-image

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.