Iron Deficiency Anemia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common anemia worldwide — insufficient iron for hemoglobin synthesis.
High-Risk Groups
- Menstruating women (heavy menstrual bleeding).
- Pregnancy (↑ demand 1000 mg total).
- Infants/children (growth spurts).
- Vegetarians/vegans (heme iron absent).
- GI blood loss (ulcers, angiodysplasia, cancer, NSAIDs).
- Malabsorption (celiac, H. pylori, bariatric surgery).
Symptoms
- Fatigue, exertional dyspnea, pallor.
- Koilonychia (spoon nails), glossitis, angular cheilitis.
- Pica (ice, clay, dirt) — specific for iron deficiency.
- Restless legs, cognitive fog, cold intolerance.
Diagnostic Labs
| Test | IDA Pattern |
|---|---|
| Ferritin | Low (<30 ng/mL; <15 definitive) |
| Serum iron | Low |
| TIBC | High |
| Transferrin saturation | Low (<16%) |
| CBC | Microcytic, hypochromic (low MCV, MCH) |
| RDW | High (anisocytosis) |