- Excessive bleeding during menstruation
Blood transfusions:
- to replace deficient RBCs
- will not completely cure anemia
Parenteral
50mg elemental iron
IV or IM
- Iron-sucrose/ Iron sodium gluconate
only IV
- Iron deficiency creates an uninhabitable enviroment for bacteria
- Treating with parenteral iron supplements is not favored if patient is infected
- In some cases this will not be possible, e.g. chronic osteomyelitis
Monitoring patients, who are chronically treated with iron is necessary to avoid iron overload toxicity
Treating iron deficiency anemia
- Iron deficiency = microcytic hypochromic anemia
- A decrease in RBC's mass and Hb content
- MCV<80µ³ and MCH<25pg
Management
What causes iron deficiency?
- Body doesn't have enough iron to manufacture RBCs
- RBCs are abnormal and have weak Hb carrying capacities
Diagnosis
Central
Fatigue
Dizziness
Fainting
Eyes
Yellowing
Skin
Pale
Cold
Blood vessels
Low BP
Respiratory
Shortness of breath
Heart
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Angina
Heart attack
Muscle
Weakness
Spleen
Enlarged
Treatment
1)increasing iron
2)increasing vit. c
3)decrease oxalate &
phosphate
- Manage hemorrhage
- Dietary control:
- Microencapsulation with lecithin
Tests
Chronic blood loss
- CBC:↑RDW=large variability in RBC sizes
- Blood film:
Deficiency of iron intake
(dietary)
Most common in growing children and pregnant women
- Parasitosis (hookworms,flukes, etc.)
typical blood smear
Iron Supplements
Oral
- ideally on an empty stomach to increase bioavailability
- GIT side effects
- 3-6 months to replenish body stores
- Ferrous sulfate most common
- Avoid NSAIDs because they may irritate stomach and prolong bleeding
- Serum iron = low
- Serum transferrin = high
- TIBC = high
- Bone marrow aspiration
Deficient iron absorption
- Vitamin C deficiency
- diseases of the small intestine
- increased intake of phytic acid oxalates
- partial gastrectomies
Thank you