Iron Deficiency Anaemia Flashcards
1
Q
How does a deficiency of iron affect red blood cells?
A
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, so a deficiency leads to a reduction in RBC/Hb
2
Q
What are the causes of iron deficiency anaemia?
A
*Excessive blood loss: >menorrhagia
>GI bleeding
- inadequate dietary intake
- Poor intestinal absorption
*Increased iron requirements:
>children during periods of growth
>woem in pregnancy
3
Q
What are the presenting features of iron deficiency anaemia?
A
- Fatigue
- SOB on exertion
- Palpitations
- Pallor
- Koilonychia nail changes
- Hair loss
- Atrophic glossitis
- Angular stomatitis
4
Q
What tests demonstrate iron deficiency anaemia?
A
- FBC: shows hypochromic microcytic anaemia
- Serum iron low
- Serum ferritin will likely be low (as correlates with iron stores)
- Transferrin (Total iron-binding capacity) will be high reflecting low iron store
5
Q
What is transferrin?
A
Total iron binding capacity
6
Q
What is serum ferritin?
A
Totaal iron stored
7
Q
During states of inflammation what happens to ferritin?
A
It raises
8
Q
What is the management of iron deficiency anaemia?
A
- Identify underlying cause -important that malignancy has been excluded
- Oral ferrous sulfate: take for 3 months after deficiency corrected in order to replenish stores
- Iron rich diet: dark green leafy vegetables, meat, iron-fortified bread
9
Q
What are the common side effects from ferrous sulfate?
A
- Nausea
- Abdo pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
