Iron deficiency anemia in Adult
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Common findings include fatigue, dyspnea, weakness, pallor, and coarse skin and hair. Less common findings include pica (a craving to eat nonfood items, particularly ice or metal), brittle nails, tongue edema, and headache.
Within the general population, there are subsets at increased risk for iron deficiency anemia. These include children younger than 5 years, due to decreased GI absorption and increased metabolism; menstruating individuals; and pregnant individuals. Some chronic diseases result in an iron deficiency anemia. These include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in which excess loss but also impaired iron absorption can contribute to deficiency; chronic kidney disease; and congestive heart failure. Medications can cause changes in iron absorption and metabolism and lead to iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is easy to diagnose, but often subtle symptoms lead to delays in diagnosis. Once confirmed, many patients will improve within weeks with iron repletion and recognition with treatment of the underlying etiology.
Related topic: drug-induced anemia
Codes
ICD10CM:D50.9 – Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
87522002 – Iron Deficiency Anemia
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Hemolytic anemia
- Pernicious anemia / vitamin B12 deficiency
- Folate deficiency
- Sickle cell anemia
- Thalassemia: alpha or beta
- Red blood cell dysplasia
- Aplastic anemia
- Malignancy – colon cancer, other solid or liquid tumors
- Chronic disease – IBD, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Restrictive diet – inadequate iron intake
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:02/07/2019
Last Updated:08/08/2021
Last Updated:08/08/2021
Iron deficiency anemia in Adult