Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common blood disorder that affects your red blood cells. It’s the most common form of anemia. It happens when there’s a lack of iron in your blood, usually caused by bleeding.

When you don’t have enough iron, your bone marrow can’t make hemoglobin, the molecule in your red blood cells that carries oxygen in your blood. And when you don’t have enough hemoglobin, your blood can’t carry oxygen throughout your body.

As a result, you might feel tired. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Or it can cause you to crave non-food items like ice, dirt or paper. These are all signs of iron-deficiency anemia.

The good news is that treatment can help iron-deficiency anemia. Your healthcare provider can design a plan tailored to your needs.

Stages of iron-deficiency anemia

Normally, your body absorbs iron from the foods you eat. Your body stores iron so it’s available to make hemoglobin. Iron-deficiency anemia develops when your body uses the iron stores faster than they can be replaced, or when the flow of iron into your system slows.

This occurs in three stages:

• First stage. Iron stores decrease. Your low iron supply hasn’t affected your red blood cells yet.
• Second stage. When iron stores are low, your body alters the way it processes red blood cells. Your bone marrow makes red blood cells without enough hemoglobin.
• Third stage. Hemoglobin drops below the normal range. You may develop signs of iron-deficiency anemia.