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Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Tests
Treatment

What is iron deficiency anemia?

  • Iron deficiency anemia is when you have low blood count (low hemoglobin) and not enough iron in your blood.
  • A normal iron level is important to make healthy read blood cells.

Who is affected?

  • Anyone can have iron deficiency anemia.
  • It can develop in people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

Most people with mild anemia do not have symptoms. As your blood count gets lower, you might feel tired, have less energy, get dizzy or lightheaded. If your blood count gets very low, you might have trouble breathing, chest pain.

Why is iron deficiency anemia serious?

  • Iron deficiency anemia can be a sign of gastroenterological (GI) cancer or conditions that can cause severe complications if left untreated.

Common causes

  • Not eating enough foods with iron

    • Vegan/vegetarian diet
    • Diet low in foods like leafy green vegetables, eggs and meat

  • Problems absorbing the iron from food that you eat through your gastointestinal (GI, digestive) system

    • Celiac disease
    • Gastric bypass surgery
    • Removal of part of your small intestine

  • Too much blood loss

    • This is most common in women who are menstruating (have their period) or pregnant. Heavier-than-usual periods over time can lead to low blood count.
    • Ulcers (sores) or inflammation (swelling) in the lining of your GI tract. You may not see blood in your stool, but these may bleed over time in very small amounts and cause a low blood count.
    • Cancer or pre-cancerous polyps (a cancerous growth inside of the colon or rectum) in the GI tract. You may not see blood in your stool, but these may bleed over time in very small amounts and cause a low blood count.
    • Inflammatory bowel disease, (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, when there is inflammation in the GI tract.

Testing for the cause of iron deficiency anemia

How is iron deficiency diagnosed?

  • Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed by routine blood tests that measure your red blood count.
  • These blood tests can be ordered by your health care provider.
Tests for iron deficiency anemia. If you and your doctor don't know why you have iron deficiency anemia, you will need testing to find and treat the cause: blood tests, stool tests and colonoscopy and upper endoscopy.
Anemia blood levels Adult men with anemia = Hemoglobin < 13g/dL Adult nonpregnant women with anemia = Hemoglobin

What do I have to do before a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy?

These are procedures that allow for direct exam of the GI tract. Talk to your health care provider and ask if any of your medications need to be stopped before your procedure. You will be given medicine right before both procedures to make you sleepy and relaxed.

  • For colonoscopy, drink clear liquids the day before your procedure. Drink laxatives that will help you move your bowels and clean out your colon before the procedure. Be sure to follow all of your doctor’s instructions.
  • For upper endoscopy, don’t eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before your procedure.

Colonoscopy

During a colonoscopy, the doctor will insert a scope into your rectum to look carefully in your colon for any cause of your iron deficiency anemia, like cancer or polyps.

Upper endoscopy (EGD)

An upper endoscopy is done using a shorter scope which is put into your mouth to look for ulcers or swelling at the beginning portion of your GI tract.

Treatments for iron deficiency anemia

Work with your provider to find and treat the cause of your iron deficiency anemia. If you have mild iron deficiency anemia, you may need to eat more foods that have iron, like leafy vegetables, eggs and meat, like chicken, steak or pork. If you have moderate or severe iron deficiency anemia, you might need to take iron supplement pills or iron treatment intravenously (into your vein).

Last updated: July 2024

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Celiac disease

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

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