Iron Metabolism and Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Nutritional deficiencies are the most common cause of anemia. Deficiency of iron is the most common micronutrient deficiency with several adverse consequences. In this chapter, we discuss normal iron metabolism, etiopathogenesis, and laboratory tests along with prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Functional iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia coexistent with thalassemia trait are also discussed.