Iron-Deficiency Anaemia Flashcards
what is iron-deficiency anaemia?
caused by increased loss of iron, reduced intake or malabsorption
what are the causes of iron-deficiency anaemia?
- increased loss = menorrhagia, GI bleeding, hookworm
- reduced intake = poor diet
- malabsorption = coeliac, IBD
what are the symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia?
- lethargy
- tiredness
- weakness
- jaundice
- heavy periods
- change in bowel habit
- koiloncyhia
what is koiloncyhia?
‘spooning’ of the nails
caused by thinning of the nails causing them to lose their convexity and becoming spoon-like in shape
what is koiloncyhia associated with?
iron-deficiency anaemia
what type of anaemia is iron-deficiency anaemia?
hypochromic, microcytic anaemia
what investigation is important to conduct is men >60 with no obvious source of bleeding?
refer for urgent (2 week) gastroscopy and colonoscopy for suspected colorectal cancer
what investigations are carried out in iron-deficiency anaemia?
- iron studies and clinical symptoms
- total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
- ferritin measurements
what are the tpical total iron binding capacity and ferritin levels in iron-deficiency anaemia?
- TIBC = high due to lack of iron resulting in increase capacity to bind to iron
- ferritin = low due to reduced iron stores
what is the management of iron-deficiency anaemia?
ferrous sulphate 200mg TDS
