Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Recently, iron deficiency and anemia due to iron deficiency is one of the most common medical conditions in clinical practice worldwide. Since in emerging countries mostly malnutrition, insufficient uptake of iron, and parasitic infestations are main cause, in developed countries iron deficiency is still not rare due to vegaterian diet and malignancies. Iron deficiency is usually asymptomatic but also can be seen with widespread clinical features, such as; weakness, fatigue, exortional dyspnea, restless leg syndrome. To diagnose iron deficiency, traditional laboratory tests are complete blood count and peripheral blood smear tests. Transferrin saturation and ferritin tests are the most commonly used in diagnosis. Rarely, bone marrow biopsy is needed. Oral iron administration is first line treatment for iron deficiency but intravenous administration of iron can be preferred in conditions such as: drug intolerance, deep anemia, chronic renal failure. Reticulocyte count and complete blood count can be used for evaluating therapy response. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common medical condition and important cause of mortality and morbidity so that diagnosis, treatment and follow up is important.