Iron deficiency anaemia

This anaemia is often well advanced, with low haemoglobin levels, before significant symptoms become apparent. If untreated, the condition follows a chronic course. The importance of the condition is not that it is dangerous to life, but that it can lead to a loss of efficiency and lowered resistance to infection.

Diets rich in iron and medicinal iron replacement therapy will result in an increase in iron stores and consequently haemoglobin levels, with resultant resolution of symptoms. Ferrous Sulphate or other iron containing medications are usually tolerated well by most patients.

A rise in haemoglobin level of at least 1% per day should be expected, and in the average case, the blood level is restored to normal in four to eight weeks.

Apparent lack of response to iron therapy usually means that the patient is not taking the iron. In patients with true oral iron intolerance, commercial preparations of iron for injection are available.