Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia, as the name suggests, is a type of anemia in which there is not enough iron present in the blood. It is the most common cause of anemia worldwide. As iron is needed for the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen, lack of this mineral is related to decreased oxygen delivery to the entire body. This can lead to symptoms such as pale or yellow skin, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, unexplained weakness, and brittle nails or hair loss. 

Iron deficiency anemia is very common, especially among women, which include menstruating women, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. It is also quite common in people who have undergone major surgery or physical trauma, people with peptic ulcer disease, vegetarians and not eating a diet rich in iron.

The condition is diagnosed by blood tests that include complete blood tests (CBC), low hemoglobin (Hg) and hematocrit (Hct), low ferritin, low serum iron, and low iron saturation. Iron deficiency can be treated by taking medicinal iron in the form of multivitamins until the deficiency is corrected. 

In severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, red blood cell transfusions may be given that are actively bleeding or have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or weakness. Transfusions are only a temporary cure to replace deficient red blood cells and will not completely correct the iron deficiency.