(See also Overview of Decreased Erythropoiesis Overview of Decreased Erythropoiesis Anemia, a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb) content, or hematocrit (Hct), can result from decreased RBC production (erythropoiesis), increased RBC destruction... read more .)
Pathophysiology of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron is distributed in active metabolic and storage pools. Total body iron is about 3.5 g in healthy men and 2.5 g in women; the difference relates to women's smaller body size and dearth of stored iron because of iron loss due to menses. The distribution of body iron is
Hemoglobin: 2 g (men), 1.5 g (women)
Ferritin: 1 g (men), 0.6 g (women)
Hemosiderin: 300 mg
Myoglobin: 200 mg
Tissue enzymes (heme and nonheme): 150 mg
Transport-iron compartment: 3 mg
Iron absorption
Iron is absorbed in the duodenum and upper jejunum. Iron absorption is determined by its source and by what other substances are ingested with it. Iron absorption is best when food contains heme iron (meat). Dietary nonheme iron is usually in the ferric state (+3) and must be reduced to the ferrous state (+2) and released from food binders by gastric secretions. Nonheme iron absorption is reduced by other food items (eg, vegetable fiber phytates and polyphenols; tea tannates, including phosphoproteins; bran) and certain antibiotics (eg, tetracycline). Ascorbic acid is the only common food element known to increase nonheme iron absorption.
The average American diet, which contains 6 mg of elemental iron/1000 kcal of food, is adequate for iron homeostasis. Of about 15 mg/day of dietary iron, adults absorb only 1 mg, which is the approximate amount lost daily by cell desquamation from the skin and intestine. In iron depletion, absorption increases due to the suppression of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism; however, absorption rarely increases to > 6 mg/day unless supplemental iron is added (1 Pathophysiology reference Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and usually results from blood loss; malabsorption, such as with celiac disease, is a much less common cause. Symptoms are usually nonspecific... read more 
). Children have a greater need for iron and appear to absorb more to meet this need.
Iron transport and usage
Iron from intestinal mucosal cells is transferred to transferrin, an iron-transport protein synthesized in the liver; transferrin can transport iron from cells (intestinal, macrophages) to specific receptors on erythroblasts, placental cells, and liver cells. For heme synthesis, transferrin transports iron to the erythroblast mitochondria, which insert the iron into protoporphyrin IX for it to become heme. Transferrin (plasma half-life, 8 days) is extruded for reutilization. Synthesis of transferrin increases with iron deficiency but decreases with any type of chronic disease.
Iron storage and recycling
Iron not used for erythropoiesis is transferred by transferrin to the storage pool; iron is stored in 2 forms:
Ferritin
Hemosiderin
The most important is ferritin (a heterogeneous group of proteins surrounding an iron core), which is a soluble and active storage fraction located in the liver (in hepatocytes), bone marrow, and spleen (in macrophages); in red blood cells (RBCs); and in serum. Iron stored in ferritin is readily available for any body requirement. Circulating (serum) ferritin level parallels the size of the body stores (1 ng/mL = 8 mg of iron in the storage pool).
The 2nd storage pool of iron is in hemosiderin, which is relatively insoluble and is stored primarily in the liver (in Kupffer cells) and in the bone marrow (in macrophages).
Because iron absorption is so limited, the body recycles and conserves iron. Transferrin binds and recycles available iron from aging RBCs undergoing phagocytosis by mononuclear phagocytes. This mechanism provides about 97% of the daily iron needed (about 2.5 mg of iron).
Iron deficiency
Iron deficiency Iron Deficiency Iron (Fe) is a component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and many enzymes in the body. Heme iron is contained mainly in animal products. It is absorbed much better than nonheme iron (eg, in plants... read more develops in stages. In the first stage, iron requirement exceeds intake, causing progressive depletion of bone marrow iron stores. As stores decrease, absorption of dietary iron increases in compensation. During later stages, deficiency impairs RBC synthesis, ultimately causing anemia.
Severe and prolonged iron deficiency also may cause dysfunction of iron-containing cellular enzymes.
Pathophysiology reference
Nemeth E, Tuttle MS, Powelson J, et al: Hepcidin regulates cellular iron efflux by binding to ferroportin and inducing its internalization. Science 306(5704):2090–2093, 2004.
Etiology of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Because nonheme iron is poorly absorbed, dietary iron barely meets the daily requirement for most people. Even so, men who eat a typical Western diet are unlikely to become iron deficient solely as a result of dietary deficiency. However, even modest losses, increased requirements, iatrogenic phlebotomy, or decreased caloric intake can contribute to iron deficiency.
Blood loss is the major cause of iron deficiency. In men and postmenopausal women, the most frequent cause is chronic occult bleeding, usually from the gastrointestinal tract (eg, due to peptic ulcer disease Peptic Ulcer Disease A peptic ulcer is an erosion in a segment of the gastrointestinal mucosa, typically in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the first few centimeters of the duodenum (duodenal ulcer), that penetrates... read more 
, malignancy, hemorrhoids, or vascular ectasias Vascular Gastrointestinal Lesions Several distinct congenital or acquired syndromes involve abnormal mucosal or submucosal blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract. These vessels may cause recurrent bleeding, which is rarely... read more 
). In premenopausal women, cumulative menstrual blood loss (mean, 0.5 mg iron/day) is a common cause. Intestinal bleeding due to hookworm infection Symptoms and Signs Ancylostomiasis is infection with the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus. Symptoms include rash at the site of larval entry and sometimes abdominal pain or other... read more 
is a common cause in developing countries. Less common causes include urinary blood loss, recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage (see Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is persistent or recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage. There are numerous causes, but autoimmune disorders are most common. Most patients present with dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis... read more 
) and chronic intravascular Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is group of disorders typified by peripheral cytopenia, dysplastic hematopoietic progenitors, a hypercellular or hypocellular bone marrow, and a high risk... read more or traumatic (exercise-induced) hemolysis when the amount of iron released during hemolysis exceeds the plasma haptoglobin-binding capacity.
Increased iron requirements may contribute to iron deficiency. From birth to age 2 and during adolescence, when rapid growth requires a large iron intake, dietary iron often is inadequate. During pregnancy, the fetal iron requirement increases the maternal iron requirement (mean, 0.5 to 0.8 mg/day—see Anemia in Pregnancy Anemia in Pregnancy Normally during pregnancy, erythroid hyperplasia of the marrow occurs, and red blood cell (RBC) mass increases. However, a disproportionate increase in plasma volume results in hemodilution... read more ) despite the absence of menses. Lactation also increases the iron requirement (mean, 0.4 mg/day).
Decreased iron absorption can result from gastrectomy or malabsorption syndromes Overview of Malabsorption Malabsorption is inadequate assimilation of dietary substances due to defects in digestion, absorption, or transport. Malabsorption can affect macronutrients (eg, proteins, carbohydrates, fats)... read more such as celiac disease Celiac Disease Celiac disease is an immunologically mediated disease in genetically susceptible people caused by intolerance to gluten, resulting in mucosal inflammation and villous atrophy, which causes malabsorption... read more 
, atrophic gastritis Autoimmune Metaplastic Atrophic Gastritis Autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis is an inherited autoimmune disease that attacks parietal cells, resulting in hypochlorhydria and decreased production of intrinsic factor. Consequences... read more 
, Helicobacter pylori infection Helicobacter pylori Infection Helicobacter pylori is a common gastric pathogen that causes gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and low-grade gastric lymphoma. Infection may be asymptomatic or... read more , achlorhydria, short bowel syndrome Short Bowel Syndrome Short bowel syndrome is malabsorption resulting from extensive resection of the small bowel (usually more than two thirds the length of the small intestine). Symptoms depend on the length and... read more , and rarely IRIDA Iron-transport deficiency anemia In myelodysplastic syndrome, anemia is commonly prominent. The anemia is usually normocytic or macrocytic, and a dimorphic (large and small) population of circulating cells can be present. ... read more (iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia). Rarely, absorption is decreased by dietary deprivation due to undernutrition.
Symptoms and Signs of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Most symptoms of iron deficiency are due to anemia. Such symptoms include fatigue, loss of stamina, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, and pallor. Another common symptom is restless leg syndrome Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are characterized by abnormal motions of and, for RLS, usually sensations in the lower or upper extremities, which may... read more (RLS), which is an unpleasant urge to move the legs during periods of inactivity.
In addition to the usual manifestations of anemia, some uncommon symptoms occur in severe iron deficiency. Patients may have pica Pica Pica is persistent eating of nonnutritive, nonfood material for ≥1 month when it is developmentally inappropriate (eg, pica is not diagnosed in children 2 years) and when it is not part of a... read more , an abnormal craving to eat nonfood substances (eg, ice, dirt, paint, starch, ashes). Other symptoms of severe deficiency include glossitis, cheilosis, and concave nails (koilonychia).
Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Complete blood count (CBC), serum iron, iron-binding capacity, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, reticulocyte count, red cell distribution width (RDW), and a peripheral blood smear
Rarely bone marrow examination
Iron deficiency anemia is suspected in patients with chronic blood loss or microcytic anemia, particularly if pica is present. In such patients, a CBC, serum iron and iron-binding capacity, and serum ferritin and reticulocyte count are obtained (see table Typical Serum Values for Iron, Iron-Binding Capacity, Ferritin, and Transferrin Saturation Typical Normal Serum Values for Iron, Iron-Binding Capacity,Ferritin, and Transferrin Saturation 
).
Iron and iron-binding capacity (and transferrin saturation) are measured because their relationship is important. Various tests exist; the range of normal values relates to the test used and varies from laboratory to laboratory. In general, normal serum iron is 75 to 150 mcg/dL (13 to 27 micromol/L) for men and 60 to 140 mcg/dL (11 to 25 micromol/L) for women; total iron-binding capacity is 250 to 450 mcg/dL (45 to 81 micromol/L) and transferrin saturation is 20 to 50%. Serum iron level is low in iron deficiency and in many chronic diseases and is elevated in hemolytic disorders Overview of Hemolytic Anemia At the end of their normal life span (about 120 days), red blood cells (RBCs) are removed from the circulation. Hemolysis is defined as premature destruction and hence a shortened RBC life span... read more 
and in iron-overload syndromes Overview of Iron Overload Typical adults lose about 1 mg iron (Fe) per day in shed epidermal and gastrointestinal cells; menstruating females lose on average an additional 0.5 to 1 mg/day from menses. This iron loss... read more . The iron-binding capacity increases in iron deficiency, while the transferrin saturation decreases.
Serum ferritin levels closely correlate with total body iron stores. The range of normal in most laboratories is 30 to 300 ng/mL (67.4 to 674.1 pmol/L), and the mean is 88 ng/mL (197.7 pmol/L) in men and 49 ng/mL (110.1 pmol/L) in women. Low levels (< 12 ng/mL [27 pmol/L]) are specific for iron deficiency. However, ferritin is an acute-phase reactant, and levels increase in inflammatory and infectious disorders (eg, hepatitis Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis Acute viral hepatitis is diffuse liver inflammation caused by specific hepatotropic viruses that have diverse modes of transmission and epidemiologies. A nonspecific viral prodrome is followed... read more ), and neoplastic disorders (especially acute leukemia Overview of Leukemia Leukemia is a malignant condition involving the excess production of immature or abnormal leukocytes, which eventually suppresses the production of normal blood cells and results in symptoms... read more , Hodgkin lymphoma Hodgkin Lymphoma Hodgkin lymphoma is a localized or disseminated malignant proliferation of cells of the lymphoreticular system, primarily involving lymph node tissue, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Symptoms... read more 
, and gastrointestinal tract tumors). In these disorders, a serum ferritin level up to 100 ng/mL remains compatible with iron deficiency.
The reticulocyte count is low in iron deficiency. The peripheral smear generally reveals hypochromic red cells with significant anisopoikilocytosis, which is reflected in a high red cell distribution width (RDW).
The most sensitive and specific criterion for iron-deficient erythropoiesis is absent bone marrow stores of iron, although a bone marrow examination is rarely needed.
Stages of iron deficiency
Laboratory test results help stage iron deficiency anemia.
Stage 1 is characterized by decreased bone marrow iron stores; hemoglobin (Hb) and serum iron remain normal, but the serum ferritin level falls to < 20 ng/mL (44.9 pmol/L). The compensatory increase in iron absorption causes an increase in iron-binding capacity (transferrin level).
During stage 2, erythropoiesis is impaired. Although the transferrin level is increased, the serum iron level decreases; transferrin saturation decreases. Erythropoiesis is impaired when serum iron falls to < 50 mcg/dL (< 9 micromol/L) and transferrin saturation to < 16%. The serum transferrin receptor level rises (> 8.5 mg/L).
During stage 3, anemia with normal-appearing RBCs and indices develops.
During stage 4, microcytosis and then hypochromia develop.
During stage 5, iron deficiency affects tissues, resulting in symptoms and signs.
Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia prompts consideration of its cause, usually bleeding. Patients with obvious blood loss (eg, women with menorrhagia) may require no further testing. Men and postmenopausal women without obvious blood loss should undergo evaluation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, because anemia may be the only indication of an occult GI cancer. Rarely, chronic epistaxis or genitourinary bleeding is underestimated by the patient and requires evaluation in patients with normal GI study results.
Differentiation from other microcytic anemias
Iron deficiency anemia must be differentiated from other microcytic anemias (see table Differential Diagnosis of Microcytic Anemia Due to Decreased RBC Production Differential Diagnosis of Microcytic Anemia Due to Decreased Red Blood Cell Production ). If tests exclude iron deficiency in patients with microcytic anemia, then the anemia of chronic disease Anemia of Chronic Disease The anemia of chronic disease is a multifactorial anemia. Diagnosis generally requires the presence of a chronic inflammatory condition, such as infection, autoimmune disease, kidney disease... read more and structural Hb abnormalities (eg, hemoglobinopathies Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease (a hemoglobinopathy) causes a chronic hemolytic anemia occurring almost exclusively in blacks. It is caused by homozygous inheritance of genes for hemoglobin (Hb) S. Sickle-shaped... read more 
) are considered. Clinical features, Hb studies (eg, Hb electrophoresis and Hb A2), and genetic testing (eg, for alpha-thalassemia Alpha-thalassemia Thalassemias are a group of inherited microcytic, hemolytic anemias characterized by defective hemoglobin synthesis. Alpha-thalassemia is particularly common among people of African, Mediterranean... read more ) may help distinguish these entities.
Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Oral supplemental iron
Rarely parenteral iron
Iron therapy without pursuit of the cause is poor practice; a bleeding site should be sought even in cases of mild anemia.
Oral iron can be provided by various iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate) or saccharated iron given 30 minutes before meals (food or antacids may reduce absorption). A typical initial dose is 60 mg of elemental iron (eg, as 325 mg of ferrous sulfate) given once a day or every other day (1 Treatment reference Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and usually results from blood loss; malabsorption, such as with celiac disease, is a much less common cause. Symptoms are usually nonspecific... read more ). Larger doses are largely unabsorbed due to increased hepcidin production but increase adverse effects, especially constipation or other GI upset. Ascorbic acid either as a pill (500 mg) or as orange juice when taken with iron enhances iron absorption without increasing gastric distress.
Parenteral iron causes a more rapid therapeutic response than oral iron does but can cause adverse effects, most commonly allergic reactions or infusion reactions (eg, fever, arthralgias, myalgias). Severe anaphylactoid reactions Anaphylactoid reactions Anaphylaxis is an acute, potentially life-threatening, IgE-mediated allergic reaction that occurs in previously sensitized people when they are reexposed to the sensitizing antigen. Symptoms... read more that were more common in the past were mostly caused by high molecular weight iron dextran, which is no longer available. Parenteral iron is reserved for patients who do not tolerate or who will not take oral iron or for patients who steadily lose large amounts of blood because of capillary or vascular disorders (eg, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a hereditary disorder of vascular malformation transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait affecting men and women. (See also Overview of Vascular Bleeding... read more 
). The dose of parenteral iron is determined by a hematologist.
Oral or parenteral iron therapy should continue for ≥ 6 months after correction of hemoglobin levels to replenish tissue stores.
The response to treatment is assessed by serial Hb measurements until normal RBC values are achieved. Hb rises little for 2 weeks but then rises 0.7 to 1 g/week until near normal, at which time the rate of increase tapers. Anemia should be corrected within 2 months. A subnormal response suggests continued hemorrhage, underlying infection or cancer, insufficient iron intake, or malabsorption of oral iron. If the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, do not abate following resolution of the anemia, an alternative cause should be sought.
Treatment reference
1. Moretti D, Goede JS, Zeder C, et al: Oral iron supplements increase hepcidin and decrease iron absorption from daily or twice-daily doses in iron-depleted young women. Blood 126(17):1981-1989, 2015. doi: 10.1182/blood-2015-05-642223
Key Points
Iron deficiency anemia is usually caused by blood loss (eg, gastrointestinal, menstrual) but may be due to hemolysis, malabsorption, or increased demand for iron (eg, in pregnancy, lactation, periods of rapid growth in children).
Differentiate iron deficiency anemia from other microcytic anemias (eg, anemia of chronic disease, hemoglobinopathies).
Measure serum iron, iron-binding capacity, and serum ferritin levels.
Iron deficiency typically causes low serum iron, high iron-binding capacity, and low serum ferritin levels.
Always seek a cause of iron deficiency, even when anemia is mild.
Oral iron supplements are usually adequate; reserve use of parenteral iron for hematologists because of risks of adverse effects (eg, infusion reactions and rare anaphylactoid reactions).
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Drug Name | Select Trade |
|---|---|
tetracycline |
ACHROMYCIN V |
ferrous sulfate |
No US brand name |
ferrous gluconate |
No US brand name |
ferrous fumarate |
No US brand name |
