What is iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia means that your body doesn't have the iron it needs to make enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. With fewer red blood cells, your blood isn't able to carry enough oxygen to the cells in your body. This can make you feel weak and tired or dizzy.

Many things can cause anemia, such as blood loss from heavy menstrual periods or stomach ulcers. It can happen if you don't have enough iron in your diet or if it's hard for your body to absorb iron. In some cases, pregnancy causes anemia. That's because you need more iron during pregnancy.

Your doctor may do tests to find the cause. If a disease or other health problem is causing it, your doctor will treat that problem.

It's important to follow up with your doctor to make sure that your iron level returns to normal.

Iron deficiency anemia usually develops slowly. As anemia gets worse, you may feel weak and tired or dizzy. Or you may get headaches. Your doctor will try to find the cause of the anemia and treat that problem. Most people start to feel better after treatment begins.

You may not notice the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. That's because it may develop slowly, and your symptoms may be mild. As anemia gets worse, you may feel weak and tired or dizzy. You may get headaches or feel short of breath.

To treat iron deficiency anemia, your doctor will try to find the cause of the anemia and treat that problem. Your doctor can recommend ways to increase your iron levels, such as taking iron supplement pills and eating iron-rich foods. Talk to your doctor before taking iron pills.

You can help prevent iron deficiency anemia by eating iron-rich foods every day. Foods that contain iron include meats, vegetables, whole grains, and fortified cereals.

You can help prevent anemia in babies and children by following recommendations for feeding infants and making sure that babies and children get enough iron.

If you are pregnant, you can help prevent anemia by taking prenatal vitamins. Your doctor will give you ones that include iron. Your doctor will also test your blood to see if you are anemic. If you are, you will take a higher-dose iron pill.

Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and past health. Your doctor may ask about:

• Any medicines that you take.
• Your eating habits.
• Any current or past conditions or diseases that you or a close family member has had.
• Your history of pregnancy, menstruation, or other sources of bleeding.

You'll have tests to help find the cause of anemia. Tests may include:

• Blood tests. These include a complete blood count (CBC), which looks at the shape, color, number, and size of your blood cells. And it may include a reticulocyte count, which shows how well the bone marrow is working to make red blood cells.
• Iron tests. They are done to measure the amount of iron in your blood and to help find the type and severity of anemia. It may include a ferritin level test, which shows how much iron may be stored in the body.

• If your doctor recommended iron pills, talk with your doctor about how often to take them. Taking iron pills every other day may help your body absorb iron better than taking them every day. And you may have fewer side effects with an every-other-day schedule.
  • Try to take the pills on an empty stomach. You can do this about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. But you may need to take iron with food to avoid an upset stomach.
  • Do not take antacids or drink milk or anything with caffeine within 2 hours of when you take your iron. They can keep your body from absorbing the iron well.
  • Vitamin C may help your body absorb iron. Some people take iron pills with a glass of orange juice or some other food high in vitamin C.
  • Iron pills may cause stomach problems. These include heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. It can help to drink plenty of fluids and include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet.
  • It's normal for iron pills to make your stool a greenish or grayish black. But internal bleeding can also cause dark stool. So it's important to tell your doctor about any color changes.
  • Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your iron pills. Even after you start to feel better, it will take several months for your body to build up its supply of iron.
  • If you miss a pill, don't take a double dose.
  • Keep iron pills out of the reach of small children. Too much iron can be very dangerous.
• Eat foods with a lot of iron. These include red meat, poultry, and eggs. They also include beans, raisins, whole-grain bread, fortified cereals, and leafy green vegetables.
• Be safe with medicines. Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers unless your doctor tells you to. These include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
• Liquid iron can stain your teeth. But you can mix it with water or juice and drink it with a straw. Then it won't get on your teeth.

Iron deficiency anemia means that your body doesn't have the iron it needs to make enough red blood cells.

Having enough iron is important since red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues in your body. With fewer red blood cells, your blood isn't able to carry enough oxygen to the cells in your body. This can make you feel weak and tired or dizzy.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body. You might have low iron levels from:

• Blood loss, such as:
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Bleeding inside your body. This may be caused by problems such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, or cancer. Bleeding inside the body is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in men and in women after menopause.
• Not getting enough iron in food. This can happen in people who need a lot of iron, such as small children, teens, and people who are pregnant.
• Not absorbing iron well in your body. This problem may occur if you have celiac disease or if you've had part of your stomach or small intestine removed.