Iron deficiency anaemia
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Medpedia on Iron deficiency anaemia (Less technical, good quality control)
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Deficiency in iron stores sufficient to impair erythropoiesis, leading to [[[anaemia]]. It occurs when there is reduced intake, abnormal metabolism, or more commonly increased losses.
Characteristically, a full blood count will show a microcytic anaemia. A blood film may show hypochromic red blood corpuscles. Haematinics will show low serum iron, low ferritin and raised total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
It is often caused by chronic, insidious losses rather than acute, large volume bleeds. Common sites including the upper and lower GI tracts.
Investigation
Set out in BSG guidelines.[1]
- Full blood count
- Haematinics
References
- ↑ [www.bsg.org.uk/pdf_word_docs/iron_def.pdf BSG 2005 Guidelines on Investigation of Iron Deficiency Anaemia]
