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Iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by lack of iron, often because of blood loss or pregnancy. It's treated with iron tablets prescribed by a GP and by eating iron-rich foods.

Check if you have iron deficiency anaemia

Symptoms can include:

  • tiredness and lack of energy
  • shortness of breath
  • noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
  • pale skin

What happens at your appointment

The GP will ask you about your lifestyle and medical history.

If the reason for the anaemia is not clear, they might order some tests to find out what might be causing the symptoms.

They might also refer you to a specialist for further checks.

Blood tests for iron deficiency anaemia

The GP will usually order a full blood count (FBC) test. This will find out if the number of red blood cells you have (your red blood cell count) is normal.

You do not need to do anything to prepare for this test.

Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. There are other types, like vitamin B12 and folate anaemia, that the blood test will also check for.

Treatment for iron deficiency anaemia

Once the reason you have anaemia has been found (for example, an ulcer or heavy periods) the GP will recommend treatment.

If the blood test shows your red blood cell count is low, you'll be prescribed iron tablets to replace the iron that's missing from your body.

The prescribed tablets are stronger than the supplements you can buy in pharmacies and supermarkets.

You’ll need to take them for about 6 months. Drinking orange juice after you've taken a tablet may help your body absorb the iron.

Follow the GP’s advice about how to take iron tablets.

Some people get side effects when taking iron tablets like:

  • constipation or diarrhoea
  • tummy pain
  • heartburn
  • feeling sick
  • black poo

Try taking the tablets with or soon after food to reduce the chance of side effects.

It's important to keep taking the tablets, even if you get side effects.

Your GP may carry out repeat blood tests over the next few months to check that your iron level is getting back to normal.

Important

Keep iron supplement tablets out of the reach of children. An overdose of iron in a young child can be fatal.

Things you can do yourself

If your diet is partly causing your iron deficiency anaemia, your GP will tell you what foods are rich in iron so you can eat more of them.

Eat and drink more:

  • dark-green leafy vegetables like watercress and curly kale
  • cereals and bread with extra iron in them (fortified)
  • meat
  • dried fruit like apricots, prunes and raisins
  • pulses (beans, peas and lentils)

Eat and drink less:

  • tea
  • coffee
  • milk and dairy
  • foods with high levels of phytic acid, such as wholegrain cereals, which can stop your body absorbing iron from other foods and pills

Large amounts of these foods and drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron.

You might be referred to a specialist dietitian if you're finding it hard to include iron in your diet.

Causes of iron deficiency anaemia

In pregnancy, iron deficiency anaemia is most often caused by a lack of iron in your diet.

Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Heavy periods can be treated with medicine.

For men and for women whose periods have stopped, iron deficiency anaemia can be a sign of bleeding in the stomach and intestines caused by:

  • taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin
  • stomach ulcers
  • swelling of the large intestine (colitis) or food pipe (oesophagus)
  • piles
  • cancers of the bowel or stomach – but this is less common

Any other conditions or actions that cause blood loss could also lead to iron deficiency anaemia.

If iron deficiency anaemia is not treated

Untreated iron deficiency anaemia:

  • can make you more at risk of illness and infection – a lack of iron affects the immune system
  • may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs – such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure
  • in pregnancy, can cause a greater risk of complications before and after birth

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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13,775 public posts

Low ferritin

Three weeks ago, more bloods at GP, I knew I had iron deficiency anaemia, short of breath, high heart rate. When I rang for results I was told yes you need a prescription for ferrous fumarate and B12 injections. I asked for a print out and wow my ferritin levels were 7 !!
Three weeks ago, more bloods at GP, I knew I had iron deficiency anaemia, short of breath, high heart rate. When I rang for results I was told yes you need a prescription for ferrous fumarate and B12 injections. I asked for a print out and wow my ferritin levels were 7 !!
Narwhal10
in Thyroid UK

CAN ANYONE HELP ANALYSE MY IRON PANEL RESULTS

I suffer from a lot of the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia. I would like to get my ferritin up so that my body could make better use of the T3 I am taking. With these levels would it be safe for me to supplement? I was thinking of taking low doses of the better you iron spray.
I suffer from a lot of the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia. I would like to get my ferritin up so that my body could make better use of the T3 I am taking. With these levels would it be safe for me to supplement? I was thinking of taking low doses of the better you iron spray.
Redlester
in Thyroid UK

Trying again

I’ve been hypo for 10 years and also diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia in 2017. I was prescribed iron tablets from my gp but they caused incontinence issues so I had to stop taking them. Instead I take Gentle Iron which seems to be much kinder.
I’ve been hypo for 10 years and also diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia in 2017. I was prescribed iron tablets from my gp but they caused incontinence issues so I had to stop taking them. Instead I take Gentle Iron which seems to be much kinder.
loisamelia
in Thyroid UK
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NHS website - Blood tests for iron deficiency anaemia

[/i] [i]Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. There are other types, like vitamin B12 and folate anaemia, that the blood test will also check for.
[/i] [i]Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. There are other types, like vitamin B12 and folate anaemia, that the blood test will also check for.
helvella
in Pernicious Anaemia Society

Just a question

I am now anaemic again (iron deficiency anaemia). I have had symptoms of what’s seems like bone pain in my legs and back for months now with pins and needles and peripheral numbness in waking in the morning. They did blood tests for RA which came back negative.
I am now anaemic again (iron deficiency anaemia). I have had symptoms of what’s seems like bone pain in my legs and back for months now with pins and needles and peripheral numbness in waking in the morning. They did blood tests for RA which came back negative.
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Diagnosed with iron deficiency Anamia in 3/2020, prescribed ferrous sulfate 200mg twice a day. Had colonoscopy, endoscopy, no issue found. Chemist told me to take tablet with orange juice & after food. But I have to go to toilet 7 times with loose stool. Any suggestions?
Diagnosed with iron deficiency Anamia in 3/2020, prescribed ferrous sulfate 200mg twice a day. Had colonoscopy, endoscopy, no issue found. Chemist told me to take tablet with orange juice & after food. But I have to go to toilet 7 times with loose stool. Any suggestions?
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I am new here and this has probably come up before but I am trying to find out if there is a connection between PMR/GCA (they are not sure which I have) and anaemia - my Hb was 70 - I was given 2 bags of blood back in March (at start of lockdown!!) and have been on 3x210g of ferrous fumarate a day since
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Hi I wanted to make a separate post on this to find out whether anyone else has experienced this phenomena, and whether they know what might be going on. I have had 2 blood tests from NHS and 2 from Medichecks in fairly quick succession without any ferritin supplementation and the 2 NHS ones are low,
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Hi, 37 years with Crohn’s disease and B12 deficiency plus folate deficiency. New member.

Hi there.... just joined this site today. Hoping to find people in similar situation for support and sharing experiences. Thanks x
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