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Iron-deficiency anemia is anemia caused by a lack of iron. [3] Anemia is defined as a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. [3] When onset is slow, symptoms are often vague such as feeling tired, weak, short of breath, or having decreased ability to exercise. [1]
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia overall and it has many causes. RBCs often appear hypochromic (paler than usual) and microcytic (smaller than usual) when viewed with a microscope. Iron-deficiency anemia is due to insufficient dietary intake or absorption of iron to meet the body's needs. Infants, toddlers, and pregnant ...
For instance, a value of 15% means that 15% of iron-binding sites of transferrin are being occupied by iron. The three results are usually reported together. A low transferrin saturation is a common indicator of iron deficiency anemia whereas a high transferrin saturation may indicate iron overload or hemochromatosis.
Latent iron deficiency (LID), also called iron-deficient erythropoiesis, [1] is a medical condition in which there is evidence of iron deficiency without anemia (normal hemoglobin level). [2] It is important to assess this condition because individuals with latent iron deficiency may develop iron-deficiency anemia.
Serum iron is a medical laboratory test that measures the amount of circulating iron that is bound to transferrin and freely circulate in the blood. Clinicians order this laboratory test when they are concerned about iron deficiency, which can cause anemia and other problems. 65% of the iron in the body is bound up in hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells.
Serum iron and ferritin: these tests are needed to rule out iron-deficiency anemia. [66] For an exact diagnosis, the following tests can be performed: Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a test that can detect different types of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is extracted from the red cells, then introduced into a porous gel and subjected to an electrical field.
Nearly half of all anemia cases are due to iron deficiency as it is the most common nutritional disorder. [4] Although it is a common nutritional disorder, most causes of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) are due to blood loss. [4] It occurs most commonly among children and females who are menstruating but can happen to any individual of any age. [3]
Laboratory tests such as measuring the peak serum iron level after 4 to 6 hours of ingestion can be useful in determining the severity of iron toxicity. [4] In general, levels below 350mcg/dL are associated with more mild iron poisoning while upper levels above 500mcg/dL are associated with more severe iron poisoning. [ 3 ]