Iron deficiency anaemia is a blood condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells. It’s the most common type of anaemia worldwide, with around four million people in the UK affected. If left untreated, iron deficiency anaemia can be dangerous for health. But, luckily there’s plenty you can do to manage it and improve symptoms.
Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about anaemia, including symptoms, causes, and treatment.
What is iron deficiency anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia is a blood condition that occurs when there isn’t enough iron in your body, meaning it can’t produce enough red blood cells.
Red blood cells are responsible for storing and carrying oxygen around the body. So, when someone has iron deficiency anaemia, their organs and tissues don’t receive enough oxygen – often causing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
There are several types of anaemia, but iron deficiency anaemia is the most common. You can read more about different types of anaemia, including vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia, on the NHS website.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?
Everyone’s experience of iron deficiency anaemia will be different, and the severity of symptoms largely depends on how quickly the condition develops. For example, according to the NHS, many people with iron deficiency anaemia only experience a few symptoms.
That said, there are some more common symptoms of anaemia, including…
- Tiredness and a lack of energy (lethargy)
- Pale complexion
- Shortness of breath
- Noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
Some less common symptoms include…
- Feeling itchy
- An altered sense of taste
- Hair loss
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Spoon-shaped nails
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
- A desire to eat non-food items, such as ice or paper
According to experts, if left untreated, iron deficiency anaemia can increase your risk of several health issues. This includes peripheral nerve damage, restless leg syndrome, depression, heart problems like angina, and a weakened immune system, which may lead to more frequent infections. For this reason, it’s important to speak to your GP if you suspect you may have iron deficiency anaemia.
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What can cause iron deficiency anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough iron. This deficiency can be caused by several factors, some of which we’ll cover below.
Monthly periods
In pre-menopausal women, periods are the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. Women who experience heavy periods carry the highest risk.
Pregnancy
It’s very common for women to become iron deficient during pregnancy. This is because the body needs extra iron to supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby.
Some pregnant women may be advised to take an iron supplement, while others may need to increase the amount of iron in their diet.
Gastrointestinal bleeding
According to the NHS, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and intestines) is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia in men and post-menopausal women.
There are several causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin; stomach ulcers; gastrointestinal cancer; and angiodysplasia (bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract caused by fragile blood vessels). You can read more about these on the NHS website.
Chronic kidney disease
It’s common for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to develop iron deficiency anaemia. This is because impaired kidney function makes it difficult for the body to absorb and use iron efficiently.
The National Institute of Care Excellence (NICE) has more information about iron deficiency anaemia in people with CKD on their website.
Lack of dietary iron
In some cases, iron deficiency anaemia can be caused by a lack of iron in the diet. However, according to the NHS, unless you’re pregnant or have an underlying health condition that increases your risk, this is rare.
That said, studies suggest that vegans and vegetarians may have a higher risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia due to a lack of meat in their diet because it’s a rich source of iron.
Other causes and risk factors of iron deficiency anaemia
According to the NHS, other health conditions and factors that cause blood loss and can increase the risk of iron deficiency anaemia include…
- Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Age. Research shows that being over 65 years old increases your risk.
- Malabsorption. This may occur due to conditions like coeliac disease which makes it more difficult for the body to absorb iron from food.
- Oesophagitis, which is inflammation of the oesophagus caused by stomach acid leaking through it.
- Schistosomiasis – an infection caused by parasites, mainly those found in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Making a large blood donation.
- Experiencing trauma – a serious accident, such as a car crash, may cause you to lose large amounts of blood.
- Nosebleeds – experiencing regular nosebleeds may lead to anaemia, though this is rare.
How is iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed?
If left untreated, iron deficiency anaemia can be harmful to health. So, if you suspect your iron levels are low, it’s important to book an appointment with your GP.
During your appointment, your GP will ask about your lifestyle and medical history. If they suspect you have low iron levels, they’ll order a full blood count (FBC) test, which looks at your red blood cell count.
While iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia, the blood test will also check for other types, including vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia.
If the cause for anaemia isn’t clear, they may carry out further tests or refer you to a specialist for checks.
You can read more about how iron deficiency anaemia is diagnosed on the NHS website.
How is iron deficiency anaemia treated?
While iron deficiency anaemia can be dangerous to health, the good news is that it’s often very treatable.
Treatment for anaemia will depend on its cause and severity. However, it often involves taking iron supplements, changing your diet to include more iron, and, where necessary, treating any underlying conditions.
Iron supplements
Most people with iron deficiency anaemia will be prescribed iron supplements. These can cause side effects such as heartburn and tummy pain, but this often settles down over time. The NHS recommends drinking orange juice after you’ve taken a tablet, as the vitamin C content can help with iron absorption.
Your GP will usually ask you to return for a blood test to check your iron levels two to four weeks after you start taking iron supplements to check how well you’ve responded to treatment.
Once your iron levels and red blood cells are back to normal (usually after about six months), most people will be recommended to continue taking supplements for a further three months to help build up iron levels in the body.
In some cases (for example, if you have chronic kidney disease), iron injections may be recommended instead of tablets. For this reason, it’s important to always speak to your doctor before adding any new supplements to your diet, as they won’t be suitable for everyone.
Increasing dietary iron intake
If your GP suspects that a lack of iron in your diet may be contributing to your iron deficiency anaemia, they’ll advise you on how to increase your intake.
Examples of iron-rich foods include dark-green leafy vegetables, brown rice, beans, and iron-fortified cereals or bread. Paying attention to your vitamin C intake is also important because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. Meanwhile, other foods and drinks, including tea and coffee – which can make it more difficult for the body to absorb iron – are best consumed in moderation.
Check out our article, Iron – what it is, why it’s important, and how to make sure you’re getting enough, to learn more.
If you’re finding it difficult to include enough iron in your diet, your GP may refer you to a dietitian for more detailed and personalised advice.
Treating underlying conditions
If your iron deficiency anaemia is due to an underlying health condition, your GP will work with you to formulate the correct treatment.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
Final thoughts…
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia worldwide and, if left untreated, can be dangerous for health. However, the good news is that iron deficiency anaemia is often very treatable.
For further reading, head over to the general health section of our website. Here, you’ll find information on everything from bone and heart health to important health checks for over 50s.
Do you have any experience with anaemia that you’d like to share? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
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