Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia means the blood is low in red cells because the body does not have enough iron to make them. In Nigeria it is often called 'low blood' and treated with blood tonics, iron tablets, liver or herbal mixtures, and the question of why the iron is low is never asked. In women who still have periods, heavy periods and pregnancy are common causes, and a poor diet or worms can contribute. But in men of any age and in women after the menopause, the commonest cause is slow, hidden bleeding from the gut, from ulcers, inflammation, polyps or cancer, or poor absorption of iron, as in coeliac disease. That is why unexplained iron deficiency anaemia in these groups usually needs both a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy, even when the stool looks normal.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Breathlessness on exertion
- Pale skin, inner eyelids or palms
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Headaches and dizziness
- Craving ice or other non-food items
- Brittle nails or a sore tongue
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you feel tired and breathless for weeks, so a full blood count and iron level can be checked. If iron deficiency anaemia is found and you are a man, a woman past the menopause, or anyone with gut symptoms, weight loss or a family history of bowel cancer, ask about a gastroscopy and colonoscopy rather than only taking iron. Go to an emergency department for chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, black tarry stools, or vomiting blood.
Treatment options
- A full blood count and iron studies to confirm iron deficiency
- Finding the cause: diet, periods, pregnancy, worms or blood loss from the gut
- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy for adults where gut blood loss is likely
- Testing for coeliac disease and H. pylori where appropriate
- Iron tablets, or iron through a drip when tablets do not work or are not tolerated
- Treating the cause found, such as removing a polyp or healing an ulcer
- Blood transfusion only for severe anaemia with symptoms
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Can I just take blood tonic for low blood?
Iron can correct the blood count, but it does not explain why the iron was low. In a man or a woman past the menopause, that cause is often bleeding in the gut, and taking tonic alone can hide a problem that needs treatment.
Why would anaemia need a colonoscopy?
Polyps, ulcers and bowel cancer can bleed slowly for months without any blood you can see in the stool. Gastroscopy and colonoscopy look for these sources, and some can be treated during the same test.
Is anaemia in women always from periods?
Heavy periods are a common cause in women who still menstruate, but not the only one. A doctor may still advise tests of the gut if there are gut symptoms, a family history of bowel cancer, or if the anaemia does not improve with iron.
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