Anemia: Iron-deficiency Flashcards
What groups are more susceptible for iron deficiency anemia?
- Babies, children
- The poor
- Women in their reproductive years
What are the two types of iron?
- Heme: found only in meat and is easily absorbed by the body
- Non-heme: found in plant foods and not as easily absorbed
True or False
Beef provides more heme iron than oysters.
• False, oysters contain almost twice the amount.
What are a couple of veg items that contain good iron levels?
• Beets & Spinach
What types of meat are best for iron?
• Red, liver, fish, oysters
Where is heme stored in the body?
- 2/3 in RBCs
* 1/3 in bone marrow, spleen, and macrophages
True or False
Iron must be replaced, or hemoglobin is reduced.
• True
Where is iron absorbed in the body?
• In the duodenum and upper jejunum
What are some general causes of iron deficiency anemia?
- Poor diet
- Malabsorption problems
- Blood loss
- Hemolysis (separation of the hgb from the RBCs)
What is thrombocytopenia?
• A condition in which you have a low blood platelet count.
What is thrombocytosis?
• A disorder in which your body produces too many platelets.
What is the relationship of iron and thrombopoiesis?
• A lack of iron will stimulate thrombopoiesis which can lead to thrombocytosis.
What are the general s/s of iron-deficiency anemia?
- Extreme fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale skin, Cold hands and feet
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath
- Headache, dizziness
- Inflammation or soreness of your tongue (smooth and red)
- Brittle nails
- PICA and poor appetite
Why are enteric-coated or sustained-release capsules, not a good option for iron supplements?
• Iron is absorbed in the duodenum and proximal jejunum. These types of pills release iron farther down the GI tract, are counterproductive and expensive.
Ferrous sulphate: Class and dosage info.
- Class: Iron supplement
* Dosage: 150-200mg 2/3 x’s daily
