Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Question 1

What are the risk factors or iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 1

Pregnancy
Vegetarian/vegan diet
Menorrhagia

Question 2

What are the broad causes of iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 2

Decreased iron intake
Increased iron loss
Increased iron requirements

Question 3

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 3

Fatigue
Pica
Nail changes
Dyspnoea on exertion

Question 4

What is pica?

Answer 4

Strange cravings

Question 5

What are the investigations for suspected iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 5

FBC

• low Hb
• low MCV

Serum ferritin - low
Serum iron - low

Urinalysis
- rule out urological cause

Coeliac serology
- rule out coeliac disease

Question 6

What is the pathophysiology of iron deficiency causing anaemia?

Answer 6

Iron required for the synthesis of haemoglobin and haem enzymes

Reduces RBC production

Question 7

What is the management of iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 7

Oral ferrous sulphate

- 2-3 mg/kg/d PO

Question 8

What advice should be given about taking ferrous sulphate?

Answer 8

Do not take with tea/coffee
- tannins reduce absorption

Messes with

• fluroquinolones
• tetracyclines

Question 9

What lifestyle advice should be given to patients?

Answer 9

Absorption helped by vitamin C

Absorption interfered by

• cholestyramine
• colestipol
• neomycin
• quinolones
• tetracyclines
• calcium
• magnesium
• zinc

Question 10

How should patients be followed up with iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 10

Bloods

• 3 months for first year
• then annually