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Key Points
- Iron-deficiency anemia is a common, easily
treated condition that occurs when you don't have enough iron in your
body.
- Low iron levels usually are due to blood loss,
poor diet, or an inability to absorb enough iron from the foods you eat.
- Iron-deficiency anemia usually develops over time
if your body doesn't have enough iron to build healthy red blood cells. Without
enough iron, your body starts using the iron it has stored. After the stored
iron is gone, your body makes fewer red blood cells. The red blood cells it
does make will have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin is a protein that
helps carry oxygen to your body.
- People at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia
include infants and young children, women of childbearing age, and adults who
have internal bleeding.
- The signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia
depend on how serious the condition is. Mild to moderate iron-deficiency anemia
may have no signs or symptoms. Many of the signs and symptoms of
iron-deficiency anemia, such as fatigue (tiredness), apply to all types of
anemia.
- Your doctor will diagnose iron-deficiency anemia
based on your medical history, a physical exam, and the results from tests and
procedures.
- Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia will depend
on the cause and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary
changes and supplements, medicines, and surgery. Severe iron-deficiency anemia
may require treatment in a hospital,
blood
transfusions, iron injections, or intravenous iron therapy.
- Eating a well-balanced diet that includes foods
that are good sources of iron may help you prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Taking iron supplements (as your doctor prescribes) also may lower your risk
for the condition if you're not able to get enough iron from food.
- If you have iron-deficiency anemia, it's
important to take care of your health. See your doctor regularly, take iron
supplements only as your doctor prescribes, and tell your doctor if you have
any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse.
- Iron-deficiency anemia usually can be
successfully treated.
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