Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA)

The definition of IDA is based on the presence of both anaemia and iron deficiency.

Common causes 

• Occult gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss.
• Malabsorption (eg , coeliac disease).
• Non-GI blood loss (eg , menorrhagia, blood donation).
• Inflammation.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Some symptoms of IDA

• Weakness, fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dizziness and/or headache.
• Fast or irregular heartbeat.

Some signs of IDA

• Pallor of eyes, lips, skin and nails.
• Hair loss.
• Tachycardia, murmurs and heart failure (if anaemia severe)

Treatment of IDA

Dietary iron

Iron in the diet comes in two forms; haem iron (from animal derived foods) and non-haem iron (from plant derived foods).

IV iron preparations

1. Ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject®)

2. Iron isomaltoside 1000, 10% (Monofer®)

3. Low molecular weight iron (III) dextran (Cosmofer®)

4. Iron sucrose (Venofer®)

5. Iron isomaltoside 1000, 5% (Diafer®)

NICE guidance Anaemia management in people with chronic kidney disease (CG114) (Feb 2011).

Use as an alternative to blood transfusion where appropriate. For more information visit: cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency and: bsg.org.uk/clinical-resource/guidelines-for-the-management-of-iron-deficiency-anaemia