How to diagnose iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. It is particularly prone to occur in women. If it is only mild, it may not cause much problem. However, if the iron deficiency anemia is serious, many diseases will follow. Therefore, for iron deficiency anemia, we should understand its degree. If it is a more serious situation, we must actively seek treatment to avoid worsening of the disease and terrible consequences that we cannot bear. So, how is iron deficiency anemia graded? Next, the expert will tell us about the classification of iron deficiency anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia

(1) Mild hemoglobin: 6 months to 6 years old (90-110) g/L, over 6 years old (90-120) g/L, red blood cells (3-4) x 10 divided by 2 L.

(2) Moderate hemoglobin (60-90) g/L; red blood cells (2-3)

(3) Severe hemoglobin (30-60) g/L; red blood cells (1-2)

(4) Extremely severe hemoglobin <30 g/l; red blood cells <1X1012/L

1. Increased iron requirements and insufficient iron intake

It is more common in infants, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women. Infants and young children need more iron. If they are not supplemented with complementary foods high in iron, such as eggs and meat, they are likely to suffer from iron deficiency. Teenagers with picky eating habits are prone to iron deficiency. Women's iron needs increase when they have heavier menstruation, are pregnant or breastfeeding. If they do not supplement with high-iron foods, they are likely to develop IDA.

2. Iron Absorption Impairment

It is common after subtotal gastrectomy, when gastric acid secretion is insufficient and food quickly enters the jejunum, bypassing the main site of iron absorption (duodenum), reducing iron absorption. In addition, gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by various reasons, such as long-term unexplained diarrhea, chronic enteritis, Crohn's disease, etc., can all lead to IDA due to iron absorption disorders.

3. Excessive iron loss

Chronic, long-term iron loss that is not corrected results in IDA. Such as: chronic gastrointestinal bleeding (including hemorrhoids, gastroduodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal polyps, gastrointestinal tumors, parasitic infections, esophageal/gastric varicose vein rupture, etc.), excessive menstrual flow (intrauterine contraceptive ring, uterine fibroids and menstrual disorders and other gynecological diseases), hemoptysis and alveolar hemorrhage (pulmonary hemosiderosis, Goodpasture's hemorrhage-nephritis syndrome, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, etc.), hemoglobinuria (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, cold antibody-type autoimmune hemolysis, artificial heart valves, march hemoglobinuria, etc.) and others (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, chronic renal failure with hemodialysis, multiple blood donations, etc.).