Iron deficiency anemia, the result of iron deficiency

Anemia is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood or in their hemoglobin content. The main symptoms, when present, are fatigue, a pale complexion and more shortness of breath on exertion.

Iron deficiency anemia occurs due to iron deficiency. Iron binds to the “heme” pigment of hemoglobin which delivers oxygen to the body’s cells. Oxygen is essential for cells to produce energy and perform their functions.

Iron deficiency anemia is most often caused by blood loss acute or chronic or by a lack of iron in the diet. Indeed, the body cannot synthesize iron and must therefore draw it from food. More rarely, it may be due to problems with the use of iron in the manufacture of hemoglobin.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

Most people with iron deficiency anemia slight do not notice it. Symptoms largely depend on how quickly the anemia has set in. When anemia gradually appears, the symptoms are less obvious.

• Abnormal fatigue
• Pale skin
• A rapid pulse
• Shortness of breath more pronounced on exertion
• Cold hands and feet
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• A decrease in intellectual performance

People at risk

• Women of childbearing age who have menstruation very abundant, because there is loss of iron in the menstrual blood.
• The pregnant women and those who have multiple and closely spaced pregnancies.
• The Adolescents.
• The children and, especially from 6 months to 4 years.
• People with a disease that causes iron malabsorption: Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, for example.
• People with a health problem that causes chronic blood loss in the stool (not visible to the eye): a peptic ulcer, benign colon polyps or colorectal cancer, for example.
• The vegetarian people, especially if they do not consume any animal source product (vegan diet).
• The babies who are not breastfed.
• People who regularly consume certain pharmaceuticals, such as proton pump inhibitor-type antacids for heartburn relief. The acidity of the stomach transforms the iron in food into a form that can be absorbed by the intestine. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause stomach bleeding in the long term.
• People suffering fromrenal failure, especially those on dialysis.

Prevalence

Iron deficiency anemia is the form of anemia The most common. More than 30% of the world’s population suffers from anemia, according to the World Health Organization¹. Half of these cases are believed to be due to iron deficiency, especially in developing countries.

In North America and Europe, it is estimated that 4% to 8% of women of childbearing age have deficiency in fer³. Estimates may vary because the criteria used to define iron deficiency are not the same everywhere. In men and postmenopausal women, iron deficiency is rather rare.

In the United States and Canada, certain refined food products, such as wheat flour, breakfast cereals, precooked rice, and pasta, are iron fortified in order to prevent deficiencies.

Diagnostic

Since the symptoms ofiron deficiency anemia could be due to another health problem, laboratory analysis of a blood sample must be done before a diagnosis can be made. A full blood count (complete blood count) is usually prescribed by the doctor.

All of this 3 measures can detect anemia. In case of iron deficiency anemia, the following results are below normal values.

• Hemoglobin level : the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, expressed in grams of hemoglobin per liter of blood (g / l) or per 100 ml of blood (g / 100 ml or g / dl).
• The hematocrit level : the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the volume occupied by the red blood cells of a blood sample (passed through the centrifuge) to the volume of whole blood contained in this sample.
• The red blood cell count : the number of red blood cells in a given volume of blood, normally expressed in millions of red blood cells per microliter of blood.

Normal values

Remark. These values ​​correspond to the norm for 95% of people. This means that 5% of people have “non-standard” values ​​while being in good health. In addition, results that are at the lower limits of normal may indicate the onset of anemia if they are usually higher.

Other blood tests make it possible to confirm the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia:

• The rate of transferrin : transferrin is a protein capable of fixing iron. It transports it to tissues and organs. Various factors can affect the transferrin level. In case of iron deficiency, the transferrin level increases.
• The rate of serum iron : this measurement makes it possible to check whether the increase in the transferrin level is indeed caused by an iron deficiency. It precisely detects the amount of iron circulating in the blood.
• The rate of ferritine : gives an estimate of iron reserves. Ferritin is a protein that is used to store iron in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. In case of iron deficiency, its value decreases.
• Examining a blood smear by a hematologist, to observe the size and appearance of red blood cells. In iron deficiency anemia, these are small, pale and very variable in shape.

Remark. normal hemoglobin level is likely different from person to person and ethnic group to ethnic group. The most reliable standard would be that of the individual, argues Marc Zaffran, doctor. Thus, if we find at the same time a marked difference between 2 examinations carried out at different times et the presence of symptoms (pallor, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, digestive bleeding, etc.), this should get the doctor’s attention. On the other hand, a person who appears to have moderate anemia based on a blood hemoglobin measurement but who has no symptoms does not necessarily need an iron intake, especially if the blood results have been stable for several weeks, specifies Marc Zaffran.

Possible complications

Mild anemia has no major health consequences. If there are no other health problems, the physical symptoms at rest are only felt for a hemoglobin value below 80 g / l (if the anemia has set in gradually).

However, if it is left untreated, its worsening can lead to serious problems:

• of the heart troubles : increased effort is required of the heart muscle, whose rate of contraction increases; a person with a coronary artery disorder is at increased risk for angina pectoris.
• for pregnant women : increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight babies.