Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia. Causes include decreased iron intake, increased iron loss, and increased iron requirements.

Clinical history, presentation, and findings include fatigue, pallor, dyspnea on exertion, and pica.

Blood tests reveal microcytic, hypochromic anemia; low reticulocyte count.

Other laboratory findings include low serum iron, increased total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), less than 16% transferrin saturation, and low serum ferritin.

Diagnosis of IDA requires investigation of the underlying cause.

Treatment includes oral or intravenous iron replacement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia as a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal.[1]World Health Organization. Anaemia. 2025 [internet publication].​ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia  Hemoglobin cutoffs are employed to define anemia in individuals and populations: <13 g/dL (130 g/L) in men ages ≥15 years, <12 g/dL (120 g/L) in nonpregnant women ages ≥15 years, and <11 g/dL (110 g/L) in pregnant women.[2]World Health Organization. Guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs to define anaemia in individuals and populations. 2024 [internet publication].​ https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088542

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia.[3]World Health Organization. The global prevalence of anaemia in 2011. 2015 [internet publication]. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/85839 [4]Kassebaum NJ, Jasrasaria R, Naghavi M, et al. A systematic analysis of global anemia burden from 1990 to 2010. Blood. 2014 Jan 30;123(5):615-24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3907750 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24297872?tool=bestpractice.com ​ Causes include decreased iron intake, increased iron loss, and increased iron requirements. The cause is unknown in some cases.