iron deficiency anemia

Iron Deficiency Anemia - Symptoms and Causes

Ms. A has iron deficiency anemia based on the symptoms she has described. Camaschella (2015) defines iron deficiency anemia as a disorder in which the patient's blood lacks sufficient and healthy red blood cells. The disease is caused by a lack of iron, which prevents the body from producing enough RBCs, which are required for hemoglobin transport in the blood. The management of the hepcidin-based homeostatic system is required for iron acquisition. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that is largely generated in the liver and serves as a reactant to regulate plasma iron variations. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that is produced in response to high circulating tissue iron levels. Hepcidin levels are shallow in young girls, and premenopausal women and their fluctuations are associated with levels of serum in ferritin.

Implications of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The increase in levels of hepcidin which is induced by cytokines inflammation leads to the reduced supply of erythropoietic irons which is associated with chronic anemia. When a person suffers from iron deficiency, then there is likeliness for the condition to cause suppression of hepcidin transcription. This situation facilitates the absorption of iron as well as the release of the minerals from where they are stored in the body. The rate, at which irons deficiency develops due to loss of blood or reduction in absorption of iron, is determined by the degree in which the body releases the irons. Iron deficiency anemia is sometimes mild to the extent that it is not noticed, though as the body becomes deficient in iron, symptoms, and signs intensifies (Camaschella, 2015). The conditions in this stage present symptoms such as extreme fatigue, extreme weakness, lightheadedness, chest pains, difficulties in breathing, dizziness, headaches, inflammation, poor appetite, low levels of energy, and shortness of breath. Ms, A complaints of increased shortness of breath and low levels of energy and enthusiasm as well as low blood pressure which matches with signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that occurs if the body lacks adequate amount of iron responsible for the production of hemoglobin. There are various causes of iron deficiency anemia which includes blood loss. If a patient loses blood, then there is a loss of irons too. In most cases, women with extreme menstrual periods are at high risk of iron efficiency anemia since they lose a lot of blood. The other cause of iron deficiency anemia is the lack of iron in the diet. The various type of foods that are rich in irons includes meat, eggs, fortified food, and green vegetables (Camaschella, 2015). Additionally, iron deficiency anemia may be caused by person’s inability to absorb iron. The food produces iron which is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine. The inability for the intestines to absorb irons is caused by the intestinal disorders like celiac diseases which lead to iron deficiency anemia.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy

Lasty, pregnancy can also lead to iron deficiency anemia since pregnant women have increased blood volume that requires a subsequent increase in iron intake. According to Camaschella, (2015), iron supplementation is essential in pregnant women because it serves as the source of hemoglobin necessary for the growth of the fetus. Ms. A presents symptoms that match the above causes of iron deficiency anemia which is an accurate indication that she is suffering from the same disease.

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is made through laboratory tests to ascertain the presence of anemia in patients and also to show evidence of low iron stores. According to Short and Domagalski, (2013), iron therapy done to premenopausal women who have extreme menstrual bleeding indicates hemoglobin levels of less than 10 g/dl. The reticulocyte count of patients with iron deficiency suggests that their bone marrow is not making red blood cells. Through microscopic observations, patients with iron deficiency anemia record red blood cells with pale color which is not normal. Ferritin reflects the storage of irons, and a test to a patient diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia indicates levels below 15mg per ml. According to the lab tests done on Ms. A, the results matched as her hemoglobin level was at 8 g/dl, RBC smear showing hypochromic and microcytic cells, as well as her reticulocyte level was at 1.5% which indicated that she was suffering from iron deficiency anemia.

References

Camaschella, C. (2015). Iron-deficiency anemia. The New England Journal of Medicine, 372, 1832-1843. Doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1401038

Short, M.W., & Domagalski, J. E. (2013). Iron deficiency anemia: Evaluation and management. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0115/p98.html