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Iron deficiency anemia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Anemia - iron deficiency

Symptoms:

Pale skin color
Fatigue
Irritability
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Sore tongue
Brittle nails
Unusual food cravings (called pica)
Decreased appetite (especially in children)
Headache - frontal
Blue tinge to sclerae (whites of eyes)

Note: There may be no symptoms if anemia is mild.

Signs and tests:

Low hematocrit and hemoglobin (red blood cell measures)
Small red blood cells
Low serum ferritin
Low serum iron level
High iron binding capacity (TIBC) in the blood
Blood in stool (visible or microscopic)

Reticulocytes

Blood cells

Reviewed last on: 6/10/2008
James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Brotanek JM, Gosz J, Weitzman M, Flores G. Iron deficiency in early childhood in the United States: risk factors and racial/ethnic disparities. Pediatrics. Sep 2007;120(3):568-75.

Ginder GD. Microcytic and hypochromic anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 163.

Killip S, Bennett JM, Chambers MD. Iron deficiency anemia. Am Fam Physician. Mar 1 2007;75(5):671-8.

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