Does iron deficiency anemia cause a yellow complexion?

Written by Zhang Xiao Le

Hematology

Updated on February 19, 2025

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No matter what type of anemia, it manifests as a decrease in hemoglobin. Red blood cells are the main cells that carry oxygen, so patients with anemia will have signs of ischemia and hypoxia to some extent, and anemia manifests as pallor in the skin and mucous membranes. Since Chinese are of the yellow race, the manifestation of anemia in Chinese patients often appears as a yellowish complexion. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia can have a yellowish complexion. Of course, if there is obvious yellowing of the skin and sclera in addition to the yellowish complexion, further tests such as hemolysis indicators are needed to rule out hemolytic anemia, as patients with hemolytic anemia often have concurrent jaundice.

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Written by Li Guo Bao

Hematology

50sec

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Can iron deficiency anemia be cured?

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common types of anemia clinically. The principle of treating iron deficiency anemia involves etiological treatment and symptomatic treatment. Etiological treatment means treating according to different causes, while symptomatic treatment involves correcting anemia and supplementing the raw materials for blood formation. The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia include gastrointestinal bleeding, internal hemorrhoids bleeding, hookworm and roundworm infections, malnutrition, and, notably in women, excessive menstrual bleeding and excessive bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth. These are common causes of iron deficiency anemia seen clinically. With the cause of iron deficiency anemia identified, the treatment often has a relatively high cure rate.

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Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 9sec

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How long does iron deficiency anemia need to be treated?

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.

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Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 19sec

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Can people with iron deficiency anemia drink tea?

The first aspect of treating patients with iron deficiency anemia is etiological treatment. It is necessary to remove the causes of iron deficiency as much as possible. While simple iron supplementation can restore blood indices, if the primary disease is not actively treated, it cannot fundamentally solve anemia. If left untreated, anemia in patients is prone to recurrence. Secondly, iron supplementation is the clinical priority, with oral iron supplements being the most commonly used treatment. Ferrous preparations such as ferrous succinate and ferrous fumarate are most often used. These medications are generally taken with meals or after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. This raises the issue of whether patients with iron deficiency anemia can drink tea. When iron supplements are taken with tea, they can bind with the tannins in the tea to form an insoluble precipitate that is difficult to absorb. Thus, it is clinically advised that patients with iron deficiency anemia should avoid drinking tea, as it can reduce the absorption of iron and thus result in suboptimal treatment outcomes.

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Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 7sec

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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 He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 1sec

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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.