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.

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 usually develops slowly, and the symptoms may be mild. Mild anemia may not cause noticeable symptoms. If anemia is severe, symptoms may include:

• Feeling weak and tired more easily.
• Feeling short of breath during exercise.
• Headache.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Looking more pale than usual.
• Having a craving for ice.

Other signs may include:

• Rapid heartbeat.
• Brittle fingernails and toenails.
• Cracked lips.
• Smooth, sore tongue.
• Muscle pain during exercise.
• Trouble swallowing.

Babies and small children who have anemia may:

• Be fussy.
• Have a short attention span.
• Grow more slowly than normal.
• Develop certain skills, such as walking and talking, later than normal.

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.

To treat iron deficiency anemia, your doctor will look for 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.

Most people start to feel better after a few weeks of taking iron pills. But don't stop taking them, even if you feel better. You'll need to keep taking the pills for several months to build up the iron in your body.

You may need to get iron through an I.V. if you have problems with the iron pills. If your anemia is severe, your doctor may give you a blood transfusion.

• 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.