Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA)

Question 1

What are the causes of IDA?

Answer 1

• Poor diet
• Malabsorption
• Oesophagitis
• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Carcinoma (oesophageal, gastric, small bowel, colonic)
• Hook worm
• IBD
• Non-GI blood loss (i.e. menstruation, haematuria)

Question 2

Key features of an IDA history.

Answer 2

• PC (lethargy, weakness, breathlessness, dizziness)
• Associated symptoms (abdominal pain, abdominal masses, change in bowel habit)
• Gynaecological history (menopause, menstruation)
• Drug Hx (NSAIDs, aspirin)
• FHx (GI carcinoma)
• SHx (dietary intake)

Question 3

Key findings on examination of IDA.

Answer 3

• Patient colour
• Hands (pale palmer creases, koilonychia)
• Face (atrophic glossitis, angular cheilosis, pale conjunctiva)
• GI (tenderness, masses)
• DRE (palpable masses, blood)

Question 4

Investigations of IDA.

Answer 4

• FBC
• Blood film
• Coagulation screen
• U&Es
• Iron studies
• Gastroscopy
• Colonoscopy