What is Iron Deficiency Anemia? – Video

Video at a Glance

• The major anemia manifestation in the US is iron deficiency anemia.
• The three causes of anemia are blood loss (iron deficiency), decreased red blood cell production, and increased red blood cell destruction.
• A common cause of iron deficiency anemia in males is GI losses, while women may experience it from GI losses or menorrhagia.
• GI losses may be caused by IBD, NSAID usage, or malignancy.
• In patients with iron deficiency anemia, the body doesn’t have enough iron and can’t produce enough hemoglobin, resulting in a decreased red blood cell count in the bone marrow.
• The kidneys detect the decreased red blood cell count and send erythropoietin to bone marrow, activating the myeloid line, which increases the production of red blood cells and platelets. These red blood cells and platelets still have a hemoglobin deficit, so they’re small and hypochromic.
• A patient with iron deficiency anemia will have decreased ferritin levels, and the treatment is iron replacement.