46. Iron deficiency Anemia

Question 1

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)?

Answer 1

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is a condition characterized by a lack of iron, resulting in microcytic and hypochromic red blood cells. It is the most common type of anemia, comprising 80% of all cases.

Question 2

What are the etiologies of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 2

Etiology includes insufficient intake, insufficient absorption (due to gastric resection, atrophic gastritis, malabsorption), and increased demands (such as growth, pregnancy, breastfeeding).

Question 3

What is the most common cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 3

The most common cause is chronic blood loss.

Question 4

What are some causes of chronic blood loss?

Answer 4

Causes include menstruation, childbirth, hemorrhoids, gastritis, colitis, cancer, hypermenorrhea, hemoglobinuria, chronic GI bleeding, corticosteroids, and NSAIDs.

Question 5

What are the three stages of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 5

The three stages are:
1. Prelatent: Low serum ferritin.
2. Latent: Reduced serum iron, less than 10% bone marrow sideroblasts. Transferrin increases, saturation decreases.
3. Expressed: Anemia develops with low hemoglobin, normal RBC count, hypochromic cells.

Question 6

What are general symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 6

General symptoms include weakness, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and tachycardia.

Question 7

What are the effects of acute blood loss in Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 7

With 10–15% loss: Hypotension, decreased organ perfusion.
30% loss: Inability to compensate, changes in blood flow.
40% loss: Hypovolemic shock, confusion, dyspnea, hypotension, tachycardia.

Question 8

What are some signs and symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 8

Signs include pallor if hemoglobin is less than 80 g/L in women and 100 g/L in men, spoon nails, skin fragility, dry skin, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, and angular cheilitis.

Question 9

How is Iron Deficiency Anemia diagnosed?

Answer 9

Diagnosis includes lab tests: CBC shows microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells (low MCV less than 80, low MCH less than 28), decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, peripheral blood smear showing microcytosis and hypochromia, and serum iron studies showing decreased serum iron levels.

Question 10

What is the treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 10

Treatment includes oral iron such as ferrous sulfate (325 mg orally 2-3 times daily on an empty stomach) and ferrous gluconate (325 mg orally 2-3 times daily).

Question 11

What is the IV treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Answer 11

Ion Sucrose IV: Initial dose of 200 mg IV over 15 minutes, followed by 200 mg IV weekly until iron needs are met.