Laboratory Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

FAQs

1. Can iron deficiency anemia be cured?

   Yes, IDA is typically reversible with appropriate treatment. Oral iron supplementation, dietary adjustments (iron-rich foods like red meat, spinach, and lentils), and addressing underlying causes (e.g., bleeding) restore hemoglobin levels and iron stores. Severe cases may require intravenous iron or blood transfusions.

2. Can iron deficiency anemia kill you?

   Untreated severe IDA can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart failure, organ damage, or hypoxia. However, timely diagnosis and treatment prevent fatal outcomes.

3. Can iron deficiency anemia cause weight gain?

   No direct link exists between IDA and weight gain. However, fatigue from anemia may reduce physical activity, indirectly contributing to weight changes.

4. Can iron deficiency anemia cause hair loss?

   Yes. Iron deficiency disrupts hair follicle growth cycles, leading to telogen effluvium (excessive shedding). Hair loss reverses with iron repletion.

5. Can iron deficiency anemia cause high blood pressure?

   No. IDA does not directly cause hypertension. Severe anemia may trigger compensatory tachycardia, but this is distinct from chronic high blood pressure.

6. How is iron deficiency anemia diagnosed?

   Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests and clinical evaluation. Blood tests measure hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and serum ferritin, with a ferritin level below 15 μg/L confirming iron deficiency. A thorough clinical evaluation assesses the patient’s dietary habits, history of bleeding (e.g., gastrointestinal or menstrual), and presence of chronic diseases that may contribute to iron loss or malabsorption.

7. How does iron deficiency anemia cause thrombocytosis?

   Chronic iron deficiency stimulates platelet production (thrombocytosis) as the marrow compensates for ineffective erythropoiesis. Platelet counts normalize with iron therapy.

8. How does iron deficiency anemia cause stroke?

   Severe anemia reduces oxygen delivery, increasing cardiac output and hypercoagulability. In rare cases, this elevates stroke risk, especially in patients with preexisting cardiovascular conditions.

9. How does iron deficiency anemia affect pregnancy and the fetus?

   Untreated IDA raises risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. Fetal iron stores may also deplete, impairing neurodevelopment. Prenatal iron supplements (30–60 mg/day) are recommended.

10. How does iron deficiency anemia cause dysphagia?

    Severe IDA may trigger Plummer-Vinson syndrome, characterized by esophageal webs that cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Iron therapy resolves symptoms.

11. What is iron deficiency anemia treatment?

    The primary treatment for iron deficiency anemia involves oral iron supplementation, typically 60–120 mg of elemental iron taken daily to replenish iron stores and restore hemoglobin levels. In cases where oral iron is ineffective due to malabsorption or intolerance, intravenous iron therapy may be administered. Dietary adjustments are also crucial; consuming vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits or bell peppers alongside iron-rich meals enhances iron absorption, optimizing treatment efficacy.

12. When is iron deficiency anemia dangerous?

    IDA becomes critical when hemoglobin drops below 5 g/dL, causing hypoxia, heart failure, or shock. High-risk groups include pregnant women, infants, and elderly patients.

13. Why is iron deficiency anemia common in India and Bangladesh?

    Iron deficiency anemia is prevalent in India and Bangladesh primarily due to dietary habits and parasitic infections. Diets in these regions often lack heme iron from meat, relying instead on plant-based iron sources, which are less bioavailable, especially when paired with phytate-rich foods like grains that inhibit absorption. Additionally, hookworm infections, common in areas with poor sanitation, lead to chronic blood loss, exacerbating iron depletion and contributing to high anemia rates.

14. Why is iron deficiency anemia microcytic?

    Iron is essential for hemoglobin synthesis. Deficiency reduces heme production, resulting in smaller (microcytic) and paler (hypochromic) RBCs.

15. Why is iron deficiency anemia common in pregnancy?

    Pregnancy increases iron demand by 50% to support fetal growth and maternal blood volume. Inadequate intake or absorption leads to depletion.

16. Why does iron deficiency anemia cause thrombocytosis?

    The marrow compensates for ineffective red blood cell production by upregulating platelet synthesis. Thrombocytosis resolves with iron repletion.

17. Will iron deficiency anemia cause hair loss?

    Yes. Low iron disrupts the hair growth cycle, leading to diffuse shedding. Restoration of iron levels typically reverses hair loss within 3–6 months.

18. Why does iron deficiency anemia occur?

    Iron deficiency anemia occurs due to three main mechanisms: blood loss, increased iron demand, and impaired absorption. Chronic blood loss from heavy menstruation or gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., ulcers, tumors) depletes iron reserves. Increased physiological demand during pregnancy, lactation, or rapid growth phases in children outpaces dietary intake. Conditions like celiac disease or post-gastric bypass surgery impair the body’s ability to absorb iron from the diet, leading to deficiency even with adequate intake.