Iron-deficiency anemia
Post-hemorrhagic anemia ( chronic)
The Iron deficiency anemia is caused by iron deficiency and the world's most common form of anemia, and probably the most common deficiency disease at all. Its prevalence is estimated at about 600 million people worldwide. Due to the lack of iron is the production of the red blood pigment, hemoglobin, disturbed. People with iron deficiency anemia often feel tired and weak and prone to a pale complexion.
The most common causes
The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia include nutritional deficiencies and bleeding. However, iron deficiency can also result from an increased demand during growth or as part of a malabsorption in the small intestine. Often, in addition to a low intake are also conveying and inhibitors of iron absorption cause of anemia. As the most important feed material should be mentioned vitamin C, the list of inhibitors includes, for example, phytates (eg, bran, peanuts, legumes ), dairy products, eggs and coffee.
Laboratory values and diagnostic
The Iron deficiency anemia is a microcytic hypochromic anemia, ie hemoglobin is decreased ( approximately Hb < 13.5 g / dl in men and < 12.0 g / dl in women, the standard values are slightly different depending on the source ) and the erythrocytes ( red blood cells) are smaller and contain less hemoglobin than normal. Laboratory tests by the parameters of the MCV ( Mean corpuscular volume), MCHC is expressed ( mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), which are then both decreased. However, if at the same time a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency ( eg, frequently at higher grade alcohol consumption) may be normal MCV and MCHC. Another indication of iron deficiency anemia is a significantly increased variation in size of red blood cells ( RDW ) in the blood picture ( anisocytosis ). Iron in serum is subject to large nutrition-related fluctuations and is therefore unsuitable as the sole parameter to confirm the diagnosis. On iron value can usually recognize, however, whether a patient's prescribed - has actually taken iron tablets the day before blood sampling - in high doses sometimes poorly tolerated. Decreased ferritin, however, always indicates an iron deficiency. However, a normal or even increased value does not exclude him because ferritin can be released as acute phase protein in the context of an inflammatory reaction amplified. Reliable is the transferrin saturation, which is calculated from transferrin levels and iron levels and is reduced when iron deficiency.
An anemia without iron deficiency points to other causes towards such as a lack of vitamin B6, B12 or folic acid or erythropoietin deficiency (renal anemia), which are necessary for blood formation (see anemia). Especially in people from the Mediterranean region and South East Asia also to think of a thalassemia is rare in central Europeans.
- No data
- Below 50
- 50-100
- 100-150
- 150-200
- 200-250
- 250-300
- 300-350
- 350-400
- 400-450
- 450-500
- 500-1000
- 1000
Treatment
As an existing anemia can have serious diseases to the cause, the consultation of a doctor is recommended. In particular, chronic bleeding and tumor diseases must be excluded. Then the iron deficiency must be corrected by dietary or medicinal measures. In particularly severe cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
While oral iron supplementation is not satisfactory by a low intake of iron from the gut often, can make the administration of blood products unnecessarily intravenous iron supplementation. Especially in combination with erythropoiesis -stimulating agents can be achieved by the intravenous iron therapy good results. The new drugs also have side effects such as anaphylactic reactions are less common than formerly. Nevertheless, an increased rate of infection could be a problem.
For more information on medical and dietary treatment of iron deficiency anemia under: iron deficiency.