Iron deficiency anemia is a blood disorder characterized by the
body's production of red blood cells, in which the oxygen-carrying
component (erythrocyte) is dysfunctional. It is caused by a nutritional
deficiency of iron, by excessive iron loss due to gastrointestinal
bleeding, or by excessive menstruation. Toddlers, adolescent girls,
and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding – especially
poor, ethnic minorities in these groups are at risk for anemia.
Iron-poor blood is the most common type of anemia in the world,
yet iron deficiency is only one cause. Anemia can result from
a number of problems that reduce your blood's ability to transport
oxygen. It's not a natural consequence of aging, but older adults
tend to develop anemia more often than any other blood disorder.
Red blood cells are formed in bone marrow where they accumulate iron-rich hemoglobin. When the cells are released into your blood, hemoglobin attaches to oxygen from your lungs and carries it to your tissues and organs. As red blood cells circulate, mature cells are continuously destroyed and replaced by new cells. The average life of a red blood cell is about four months. Anemia can occur when red blood cell production or maturation is inadequate or destruction is early. As a result, your blood can't carry adequate oxygen. At first, the effect may be unnoticeable. As anemia progresses, you may feel tired and look pale. Severe anemia may lead to an irregular or increased heart rate as your heart pumps more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Other symptoms include vertigo, headache, irritability and insomnia.
Iron-deficiency anemia is when production falls short.
This anemia develops if not enough iron is available to bone marrow
to make hemoglobin. It occurs for two main reasons:
Megaloblastic anemia is when proper maturation fails.
This anemia can occur when red blood cells don't mature
normally. The cells formed in bone marrow are enlarged with a
reduced capacity to carry oxygen. This is almost always
caused by a vitamin deficiency:
This is an uncommon anemia that develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them, caused by genetic or acquired defects. The result is a shortage of red blood cells to transport oxygen.
Managing hemolytic anemias includes avoiding suspect medications,
treating related infections and taking immunosuppressive drugs,
such as corticosteroids. Sometimes, removing your spleen is needed.
Although common, anemia can be a complex problem to diagnose and
treat because of its many causes.
If you feel unusually tired, don't assume you have "tired
blood." Anemia often leads to fatigue, but fatigue seldom
signals anemia.
Simply taking an iron supplement may not address the underlying
problem causing your anemia. If left untreated, the disorder may
lead to serious illness. Iron deficiency doesn't always lead to
anemia, but it can cause other problems, such as lethargy or weakened
immunity. Children with iron deficiency may have problems with
intellectual development.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iron for toddlers (ages
one to three) is 10 milligrams. For girls between the ages of
11 and 18 and women of childbearing ages, the RDA for iron is
15 milligrams.
Major Sources of Iron
Iron Absorption Foods
(rich in Vitamin C)
Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), tomatoes and potatoes are important
in absorbing iron in the blood.
