Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. It affects an estimated 1.2 billion people and accounts for the majority of all anemia cases globally [1,11].

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron to make adequate hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Without enough iron, hemoglobin production falls. Red blood cells become smaller and paler than normal, and the body's tissues receive less oxygen than they need [10,11].

Understanding iron deficiency anemia at this foundational level matters because it shapes every clinical decision that follows — from which tests to order to which treatments to choose.

The World Health Organization defines anemia using the following hemoglobin cutoffs [2]:

  • Below 130 g/L in adult men
  • Below 120 g/L in non-pregnant women
  • Below 110 g/L during pregnancy

 

An illustration of a hemoglobin in a red blood cell. A single red blood cell can carry approximately 270 million hemoglobins. Each hemoglobin contains 4 heme protein that has iron molecules that binds oxygen.
An illustration of a hemoglobin in a red blood cell. A single red blood cell can carry approximately 270 million hemoglobins. Each hemoglobin contains 4 heme protein that has iron molecules that binds oxygen.

How Does the Body Regulate Iron?

Iron plays a vital role in oxygen transport, energy production, and DNA synthesis. But iron is also chemically dangerous. Free iron in the body generates harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, which can damage cells. The body handles this by keeping nearly all of its iron tightly bound to proteins, and by regulating how much iron enters the bloodstream very precisely [13].

The hormone hepcidin is the master regulator of this entire process.

How the Body Absorbs Iron

Dietary iron comes in two forms. Heme iron is found in meat, fish, and poultry. Non-heme iron comes from plants, eggs, and dairy. Both forms are absorbed in the duodenum and the upper part of the small intestine (the jejunum), but they enter cells differently.

Non-heme iron must first be converted from an unusable form (Fe3+) into a usable form (Fe2+). This happens at the surface of the gut lining, with help from an enzyme called duodenal cytochrome b (DCYTB) and dietary vitamin C. Once converted, the iron crosses into the gut lining cell (called an enterocyte) through a transporter protein called DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1).

Heme iron takes a simpler route. It binds to a receptor on the cell surface and enters directly, where enzymes release the iron from the heme molecule inside the cell.

Heme iron is absorbed two to three times more efficiently than non-heme iron [11,13]. This difference is why vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk of iron deficiency and need to consume more total iron through their diet.

The Hepcidin–Ferroportin Axis: Why This Matters for Treatment

Once inside the gut lining cell (or inside a recycling macrophage), iron exits into the bloodstream through the only iron export protein in the body:ferroportin [13].

Whether ferroportin stays open or gets shut down depends entirely on hepcidin. Here is how it works:

  • When iron stores are low, hepcidin falls. Ferroportin stays open, and iron flows freely into the blood.
  • When iron stores are high, or when the body is fighting inflammation, hepcidin rises. It binds to ferroportin, triggers its breakdown, and locks iron inside cells where it cannot be used [13].

This one mechanism explains three clinically important facts:

  1. Why daily oral iron is often poorly absorbed. Each iron dose raises hepcidin levels for approximately 24 hours, which blocks absorption of the next day's dose [4,5,6].
  2. Why chronic inflammation causes anemia. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and chronic kidney disease keep hepcidin high, trapping iron inside cells even when stores are technically adequate [3,13].
  3. Why intravenous iron works when oral iron does not. IV iron bypasses the gut entirely, so hepcidin cannot block it.

Once in the bloodstream, iron attaches to a carrier protein called transferrin, which transports it to the bone marrow and other tissues.

How Iron Is Stored

About 70 to 80% of the body's iron is functional, meaning it is actively working — mostly inside hemoglobin, but also in muscle protein (myoglobin) and in enzymes involved in energy production.

The rest is stored for later use. The main storage protein is ferritin, found in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. A smaller amount is stored as hemosiderin, an insoluble breakdown product of ferritin [11,13].

When red blood cells reach the end of their roughly 120-day lifespan, macrophages in the spleen and liver break them down and recycle their iron. This recycling loop provides most of the iron the bone marrow needs each day. Only 1 to 2 mg per day comes from newly absorbed dietary iron.

Why the Body Cannot Simply Excrete Excess Iron

The body has no regulated pathway to remove iron once absorbed. About 1 to 2 mg is lost passively each day through shed gut and skin cells. Menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and blood loss add to this. Because iron cannot be excreted on demand, the body must control it at the point of absorption — and that control is driven entirely by hepcidin.

Image depicting a stylized diagram of the iron cycle in the body, highlighting the processes of absorption, transport, storage, and utilization
Dietary iron, sourced from plant-based heme iron and animal-based non-heme iron, undergoes complex transformations to enhance its absorption. Once absorbed, iron is transported throughout the bloodstream, bound to the protein transferrin, to reach various tissues and organs. In the liver and macrophages, specialized proteins, such as ferritin and hemosiderin, safeguard iron for future use. This storage mechanism ensures a steady supply of iron for critical processes, including hemoglobin synthesis, myoglobin synthesis, and cellular respiration.

The Three Stages of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency does not appear suddenly. It develops in three overlapping stages, each representing a deeper level of iron depletion [10,11].

Stage 1Iron depletion. Iron stores begin to fall. The serum ferritin (a blood test that reflects stored iron) drops, typically below 30 μg/L. Hemoglobin is still normal, and red blood cell production continues unaffected. Some people feel fatigue, notice hair shedding, or experience restless legs at this stage, even before anemia develops. This stage is also called iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA) and is at least twice as common as full iron deficiency anemia [1].

Stage 2Iron-deficient erythropoiesis. Erythropoiesis is the process of making new red blood cells. When iron stores run out, the bone marrow starts producing red blood cells that are under-filled with hemoglobin. Ferritin remains low. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) — the proportion of the body's iron-carrier protein that is actually loaded with iron — falls below 20%. A newer lab marker called reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He or CHr), which reflects the hemoglobin content of the youngest red blood cells, also declines at this stage [12]. Hemoglobin may still sit at the lower end of the normal range.

Stage 3 — Iron deficiency anemia. This is the stage most people recognize. Hemoglobin finally drops below the normal threshold for age and sex. Red blood cells become smaller than normal (microcytic, with MCV below 80 fL) and paler than normal (hypochromic, with MCH below 27 pg). The red cell distribution width (RDW) — a measure of how variable red blood cell size is — rises. Symptoms become obvious.

Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

An infographic on the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia develop gradually. Many people adapt to declining hemoglobin over time, which means they may not realize how unwell they feel until treatment begins and they notice the difference.

Common Symptoms

  • Fatigue and reduced ability to exercise
  • Pale skin, most visibly in the inner eyelids (conjunctivae), palms, and nail beds
  • Shortness of breath with activity
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Headaches
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations or tachycardia)
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Difficulty concentrating

Signs of Longer-Standing or Severe Deficiency

These signs point to iron deficiency that has been present for months or longer:

  • Koilonychia — thin, brittle, spoon-shaped nails
  • Glossitis — a sore, smooth, pale tongue
  • Angular cheilitis — painful cracks at the corners of the mouth
  • Pica — an unusual craving for non-food items such as ice (a form of pica called pagophagia), clay, or paper
  • Restless legs syndrome — an uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often worse at night
  • Hair shedding (telogen effluvium) — noticeable increase in hair loss
  • Plummer-Vinson syndrome (also called Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome) — a rare combination of long-standing iron deficiency anemia, difficulty swallowing, and a thin web of tissue in the upper esophagus.

It is worth noting that fatigue, hair loss, and restless legs can all appear in iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA) and respond to iron treatment [1,7]. A normal hemoglobin does not rule out clinically significant iron deficiency.

Who Is at Risk of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Certain groups are at much higher risk than others. Understanding these risk factors helps with early identification and prevention.

Women of Reproductive Age

Heavy menstrual bleeding is the single biggest preventable cause of iron deficiency in women in high-income countries. Bleeding that lasts more than seven days, requires changing protection more often than every two hours, or noticeably disrupts daily life should prompt iron studies. This group should be on every clinician's radar for iron deficiency anemia screening.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Iron requirements roughly double during pregnancy. The American Society of Hematology and current obstetric guidelines now recommend universal screening for iron deficiency in pregnancy. When oral iron is failing or time is limited, guidelines support earlier use of IV iron in the second and third trimesters [8].

Infants and Children

Premature and low-birthweight infants are born with reduced iron stores and face the highest early risk. Toddlers who drink large volumes of cow's milk are also vulnerable. Cow's milk is low in bioavailable iron and can cause small amounts of blood loss in the gut, worsening iron balance [14].

Older Adults

In older adults, iron deficiency anemia should be treated as a potential sign of gastrointestinal blood loss until proven otherwise. The most common causes include slow bleeding from peptic ulcers, polyps, angiodysplasia, or colorectal cancer. Regular use of NSAIDs or aspirin, atrophic gastritis (thinning of the stomach lining), and Helicobacter pylori infection also contribute. In this age group, iron deficiency often coexists with anemia of inflammation, which can complicate diagnosis [3, 9].

People with Specific Medical Conditions

  • Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, H. pylori gastritis, and prior gastric bypass or bariatric surgery all reduce the gut's ability to absorb iron [9].
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anemia in CKD results from a combination of reduced erythropoietin production, blood losses during dialysis, and high hepcidin from inflammation [16]. While historically managed with Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs), the 2026 KDIGO guidelines recognize Hypoxia-Inducible Factor–Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors (HIF-PHIs), such as vadadustat, as an alternative to ESAs [16,18]. These novel agents are particularly relevant for dialysis patients and alter how collateral iron supplementation is managed, though ESAs remain the preferred first-line therapy due to ongoing cardiovascular safety considerations [16].
  • Heart failure. Iron deficiency, even without anemia, is now recognized as a treatable cardiovascular risk factor. IV iron has been shown to improve symptoms and exercise capacity in this group.

Diet and Lifestyle

Vegetarians and vegans need to consume roughly 1.8 times the iron of meat-eaters to absorb the same amount. Frequent blood donors, endurance athletes (who experience hepcidin rises from exercise-induced inflammation and some red cell damage in the feet), and people experiencing food insecurity are also at elevated risk [11]. All of these groups should be considered for routine iron deficiency anemia screening where possible.

High-risk groups for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) include women of childbearing age, especially those with heavy menstrual bleeding, and pregnant or breastfeeding women due to increased iron demands. Infants and young children are also vulnerable because of their rapid growth. Individuals with chronic blood loss from gastrointestinal conditions like ulcers or colon polyps, or those with malabsorption disorders like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, are also at high risk. Lastly, vegetarians and vegans may be at risk because non-heme iron from plant sources is less efficiently absorbed, and frequent blood donors can deplete their iron stores over time.

How is Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed?

Diagnosing iron deficiency anemia involves a complete blood count, iron studies, and — once IDA is confirmed — targeted investigation for its underlying cause.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC gives a broad picture of all blood cell types. In iron deficiency anemia, the typical findings are:

ParameterTypical Finding in Iron Deficiency Anemia
Hemoglobin (Hb)Low
MCV (mean corpuscular volume — average red cell
size)
Low (below 80 fL) — microcytic
MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin — hemoglobin
per cell)
Low (below 27 pg) — hypochromic
RDW (red cell distribution width — variation in cell
size)
High — one of the earliest changes
White blood cells / plateletsUsually normal; platelets may be mildly elevated

A peripheral blood film (a microscope slide of a blood sample) typically shows small, pale (microcytic, hypochromic) red blood cells of varying size and shape. Pencil-shaped red blood cells (pencil cells) are a characteristic finding.

A peripheral blood smear of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) patient with hypochromic microcytic cells, anisopoikilocytosis and pencil-shaped cells.
The presence of anisopoikilocytic hypochromic microcytic cells in a blood smear serves as a telltale sign of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), a condition characterized by insufficient iron levels leading to the production of abnormally small, pale red blood cells. These abnormal cells, characterized by their variation in size and shape (anisopoikilocytosis) and decreased hemoglobin content (hypochromia), are a direct consequence of the impaired heme synthesis caused by iron deficiency

Iron Studies

Iron studies confirm that the anemia is caused by iron deficiency and are not simply about the number of red blood cells. The key tests are:

TestResult in Iron Deficiency AnemiaNotes
Serum ferritinLow (below 30 μg/L in adults; below 20 μg/L in children)Can be falsely raised by infection, inflammation, liver disease, or cancer [1,3]
Transferrin saturation (TSAT)Low (below 20%)Calculated as: serum iron divided by TIBC, multiplied by 100
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)HighReflects increased transferrin as the body tries to capture more iron
Serum ironLowVaries throughout the day; not reliable on its own
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)HighUseful when ferritin is unreliable due to inflammation
Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He / CHr)Low An early, real-time marker of iron-restricted red blood cell production [12]

Ferritin is what clinicians call an "acute phase reactant." This means it rises during infection, inflammation, liver disease, or cancer — even when iron stores are genuinely low. A ferritin level that looks normal may mask real iron deficiency. When inflammation is present, many guidelines accept ferritin up to 70–100 μg/L combined with a TSAT below 20% as consistent with iron deficiency.

Furthermore, modern nephrology guidelines, such as the 2026 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) update, have shifted terminology from "functional iron deficiency" to "iron-restricted erythropoiesis" to more accurately reflect the pathophysiology of iron limitation during red blood cell production [16]. For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those on dialysis, diagnostic thresholds are significantly expanded. In these populations, guidelines advise withholding iron therapy only if ferritin exceeds 700 µg/L or TSAT is 40% or greater [16].

Interpretation of iron studies in relation to other conditions.
Interpretation of iron studies in relation to other conditions.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

A bone marrow aspirate stained with Perls' Prussian blue stain (which turns iron deposits blue) has historically been considered the gold standard test for iron deficiency. In iron deficiency anemia, iron stores are completely absent, and no blue color is seen. In modern practice, this test is rarely needed. Blood-based tests — ferritin, TSAT, and sTfR — are sufficient for the vast majority of cases [11].

Positive Perls' stain with normal iron stores of the bone marrow in contrast to iron deficiency anemia where there's an absence of the blue stains
Positive Perls' stain with normal iron stores (blue colored) x400 magnification whereas a patient with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) will have less or there's absence of the blue stains.

Finding the Cause

Confirming the diagnosis is only the first step. The underlying cause must always be identified and addressed. The 2024 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Practice Update provides clear guidance [9]:

  • Adult men and post-menopausal women should undergo bidirectional endoscopy (a gastroscopy to look at the upper gut and a colonoscopy for the lower gut) in essentially all cases. Testing for celiac disease and H. pylori infection is also recommended. If both scopes are negative, capsule endoscopy can examine the small bowel.
  • Pre-menopausal women need a thorough menstrual and pregnancy history. GI evaluation is warranted if the menstrual history is insufficient or if symptoms suggest GI disease [9].
  • Children require a dietary history (with particular attention to excess cow's milk intake), growth assessment, and celiac disease evaluation where appropriate [14].

Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment & Management

Effective treatment of iron deficiency anemia has three equally important components: replace the iron, treat the underlying cause, and monitor the response. Treating the anemia without addressing the cause is never enough — the deficiency will return.

Oral Iron: The First-Line Treatment

For most non-pregnant adults with iron deficiency anemia, oral iron supplements are the first treatment choice. They are effective, inexpensive, and widely available.

Current evidence has reshaped the standard recommendation. The older approach of taking iron every day is now known to work less well than taking it every other day.

  • Dose: A single morning dose of 60 to 120 mg of elemental iron. As a guide: one tablet of ferrous sulfate 200 mg contains approximately 60 mg of elemental iron; one tablet of ferrous fumarate 200 mg also provides around 60 mg; ferrous gluconate 325 mg provides approximately 65 mg.
  • Frequency: Alternate-day dosing is heavily recommended for tolerability, though daily dosing remains acceptable [17]. While early stable isotope studies suggested alternate-day dosing produces more total absorbed iron by allowing hepcidin to reset [4,5,6], recent reviews clarify that both regimens significantly improve hemoglobin [17]. Alternate-day administration is an excellent strategy to minimize gastrointestinal side effects and improve adherence if daily oral iron is poorly tolerated, but daily single dosing achieves comparable clinical and hematologic outcomes in many patients [17].
  • With vitamin C: Taking the supplement with orange juice or another vitamin C source improves absorption. Separate it from coffee, tea, dairy, calcium supplements, and antacids by at least one hour.
  • Duration: Continue until hemoglobin returns to normal, then keep going for a further three months to fully refill iron stores. The target is a ferritin above 50 to 100 μg/L, depending on the clinical context.

Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, constipation, and dark stools. Dark stools are harmless and expected. Most intolerance resolves by switching to alternate-day dosing, choosing a different formulation, or taking the supplement with a small amount of food.

Intravenous Iron: When Oral Iron Is Not Enough

IV iron delivers iron directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gut entirely. It is the preferred choice when:

  • Oral iron is not tolerated or has not worked
  • Absorption is impaired (for example, in celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or after bariatric surgery)
  • Rapid replacement is needed (late pregnancy, before major surgery, or during significant ongoing blood loss)
  • The patient has chronic kidney disease on dialysis. For hemodialysis patients, the 2026 KDIGO guidelines strongly endorse a proactive, high-dose IV iron strategy over a reactive, low-dose approach [16,18]. Based on evidence from the PIVOTAL trial, administering maintenance IV iron proactively reduces the need for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) without increasing the risk of infection [18].
  • The patient has heart failure with iron deficiency [7,9]
PreparationMaximum Single DoseApproximate Infusion TimeKey Notes
Iron sucrose200 mg 15–60 minMultiple infusions typically needed
Ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject / Injectafer)750–1,000 mg15 minRisk of low blood phosphate (hypophosphatemia), particularly with repeated doses [15]
Ferric derisomaltose (Monoferric)Up to 20 mg/kg20–30 minLower hypophosphatemia risk than ferric carboxymaltose [15]
Ferumoxytol (Feraheme)510 mg15 minGiven as two doses, three to eight days apart

Modern IV iron preparations carry a very low risk of serious allergic reactions. All IV iron infusions should be given in a clinical setting equipped to recognize and manage infusion reactions if they occur.

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is reserved for patients with severe symptomatic anemia, hemodynamic instability, or active uncontrolled bleeding. It is a short-term stabilizing measure. It does not treat the iron deficiency itself, and IV iron should follow once the patient is stable.

Monitoring the Response

Regular follow-up is essential when treating iron deficiency anemia. The goal is to confirm that hemoglobin is rising and that iron stores are being rebuilt:

  • At 4 weeks: Check hemoglobin. A rise of 10 g/L or more indicates a good response to treatment.
  • At 3 months: Check ferritin and TSAT to confirm stores have been refilled.
  • If there is no response: Consider three possibilities — ongoing blood loss, a malabsorption problem, or poor adherence to the supplement regimen. Each requires a different approach.

Iron in Food: Diet and Iron Deficiency Anemia

Diet plays a supporting role in both preventing and managing iron deficiency anemia. Knowing which foods are richest in iron — and which foods interfere with absorption — is practical knowledge for all.

Heme Iron Sources (Best Absorbed)

These are animal-derived and absorbed most efficiently by the body:

  • Liver and organ meats (beef liver is particularly rich)
  • Shellfish: clams, oysters, mussels
  • Red meat: beef, lamb
  • Poultry: especially dark meat
  • Oily fish: sardines, tuna

Non-Heme Iron Sources

These are plant-derived and less efficiently absorbed, but they make a meaningful contribution when consumed regularly and paired with vitamin C:

  • Iron-fortified breakfast cereals
  • Lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, soybeans
  • Tofu and tempeh
  • Pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds (tahini)
  • Dark leafy greens: spinach, Swiss chard, kale
  • Dried fruits: apricots, raisins

Because non-heme iron absorption is lower, vegetarians and vegans are advised to consume roughly 1.8 times the recommended daily iron intake compared with meat-eaters.

Foods and Drinks That Help Absorption

Vitamin C, eaten alongside iron-rich foods or supplements, significantly boosts non-heme iron absorption. Good sources include citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Foods and Drinks That Reduce Absorption

The following reduce iron absorption when consumed at the same time as iron-rich foods or supplements. Separating them by about an hour is enough to minimize the effect:

  • Coffee and tea (which contain tannins that bind iron)
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Calcium-fortified foods and antacids

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?

The answer depends on age and sex. In pre-menopausal women, heavy menstrual bleeding is the leading cause. In men and post-menopausal women, chronic gastrointestinal blood loss must be assumed until ruled out — common sources include peptic ulcers, polyps, and colorectal cancer. In infants and toddlers, inadequate dietary iron and excess cow's milk are the main contributors. In parts of the world where parasitic infection is common, hookworm is a significant cause [9,11].

What are the 4 common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

Fatigue, pallor (pale skin), shortness of breath on exertion, and dizziness or light-headedness are the most frequently reported symptoms. Restless legs, hair shedding, brittle nails, and pica are also characteristic but occur less often.

How long does treatment take to work?

Hemoglobin usually begins rising within two to four weeks of effective oral iron therapy and returns to normal by six to eight weeks. Refilling iron stores takes a further three months or so. With IV iron, hemoglobin typically rises within a few weeks and stores can be replaced in one or two infusions, depending on the preparation used.

When is the best time to take iron supplements?

A single morning dose on an empty stomach gives the best absorption. Taking iron every other day — rather than every day — produces higher total absorption and fewer side effects [4,5,6]. Pair it with orange juice or another source of vitamin C, and keep it away from coffee, tea, dairy, calcium supplements, and antacids for at least one hour.

Can you have iron deficiency without anemia, and does it matter?

Yes, and it does matter. Iron stores can become depleted before hemoglobin falls below the normal range. In this state, called iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA), fatigue, hair shedding, restless legs, and reduced exercise tolerance can all occur — and all respond to iron replacement [1,7]. A ferritin below 30 μg/L in an adult (or below 20 μg/L in a child) supports the diagnosis even when hemoglobin looks normal.

Are there test kits available to test for iron deficiency at home?

Yes, there are at-home iron test kits available. Most at-home kits measure ferritin from a finger-prick blood sample and can be a useful first screen. However, they should not replace a clinician-ordered iron panel if symptoms persist or results are abnormal. Ferritin can be misleadingly raised by inflammation, making the result harder to interpret without additional tests like TSAT.

  • Anemia — Hemoglobin below the normal range for age and sex.
  • Anisopoikilocytosis — Variation in red blood cell size and shape, seen on a blood smear.
  • Bioavailability — The proportion of a nutrient that the body actually absorbs and uses.
  • Ferritin — The main iron-storage protein in the body; a serum ferritin blood test reflects total iron stores.
  • Ferroportin — The only protein that exports iron out of cells into the bloodstream; controlled by hepcidin.
  • Hepcidin — A liver hormone that regulates iron absorption and release by causing ferroportin to break down.
  • Heme iron — Iron found in animal foods, bound within the heme molecule; absorbed efficiently.
  • Non-heme iron — Iron found in plant foods, eggs, and dairy; absorbed less efficiently.
  • Hemoglobin (Hb) — The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen.
  • MCV (mean corpuscular volume) — The average size of a red blood cell. Low in iron deficiency anemia (microcytic).
  • MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) — The average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell. Low in iron deficiency anemia (hypochromic).
  • Microcytic / hypochromic — Red blood cells that are smaller and paler than normal.
  • Reticulocyte — A young red blood cell freshly released from the bone marrow.
  • Ret-He / CHr (reticulocyte hemoglobin content) — Reflects how much hemoglobin is in newly made red blood cells; an early sign of iron-restricted production.
  • TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) — An indirect measure of how much transferrin is available to carry iron; rises when iron is low.
  • TSAT (transferrin saturation) — The percentage of transferrin that is actually bound to iron; falls below 20% in iron deficiency.
  • sTfR (soluble transferrin receptor) — Rises when cells need more iron; useful when ferritin is unreliable due to inflammation.
  • Koilonychia — Spoon-shaped, brittle nails seen in chronic iron deficiency anemia.
  • Glossitis — An inflamed, sore, smooth tongue.
  • Angular cheilitis — Painful cracks at the corners of the mouth.
  • Pica — A craving for non-food substances such as ice, clay, or paper.
  • Plummer-Vinson syndrome — A rare combination of chronic iron deficiency anemia, difficulty swallowing, and an esophageal web.
  • IDWA (iron deficiency without anemia) — Low iron stores with a still-normal hemoglobin level.
  • Anemia of inflammation (anemia of chronic disease) — Anemia caused by high hepcidin trapping iron inside cells; can coexist with true iron deficiency anemia.
  • Erythropoiesis — The process of producing red blood cells in the bone marrow.
  • Perls' Prussian blue stain — A bone marrow stain that turns iron deposits blue; the stain is absent in iron deficiency anemia.
  • Ferric carboxymaltose /ferric derisomaltose /ferumoxytol / iron sucrose — Modern intravenous iron preparations used when oral iron is unsuitable.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is specifically targeted towards medical students. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While the information presented here is derived from credible medical sources and is believed to be accurate and up-to-date, it is not guaranteed to be complete or error-free. See additional information.

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