Iron deficiency anemia history and symptoms
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jogeet Singh Sekhon, M.D. [2]
Overview
Iron deficiency anemia may be asymptomatic, or present with very few symptoms or very severe weakness depending on the severity of anemia.
History and Symptoms
History
The patients of iron deficiency anemia may present with a positive history of[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]:
- Pregnancy
- Growth age (adolescence)
- Bleeding (internal or external)
- Malabsorption
- Decreased dietary intake
- Kidney disease
- Chronic disease
- Contaminated food or water consumption
Common symptoms
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Weakness
- Mud and ice craving
- Breathlessness
- Hair loss
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations
- Fainting
- Missed menstrual cycle
- Heavy menstrual cycle
- Weak/ brittle nails
- Slow social development
- Lethargy
- Poor skin color
- Loss of desire for food
- Sore tongue
Less common symptoms
- Constipation
- Tinnitus
- Seeing bright colors
- Depression
- Twitching nerves, tingling, numbness
- Burning sensations
- Sleep apnea
Age Specific Presentation
Infants (age 0-12 months) and Preschool Children (age 1-5 years)
- Iron-deficiency anemia was defined as a Hb concentration of less than or equal to 10.0 g/dL or less than or equal to 10.5 g/dL
- Developmental delays
- Behavioral disturbances[8] (e.g., decreased motor activity, social interaction, and attention to tasks)
- Iron-deficiency anemia also contributes to lead poisoning in children by increasing the gastrointestinal tract’s ability to absorb heavy metals, including lead.
Adults (persons aged greater than or equal to 18 years)
- Decreased functional capacity
Pregnant Female
- Iron-deficiency anemia during the first two trimesters of pregnancy is associated with a twofold increased risk for preterm delivery and a threefold increased risk for delivering a low-birthweight baby.
External Link
Center for disease control and prevention
References
- ↑ Price EA, Mehra R, Holmes TH, Schrier SL (2011). “Anemia in older persons: etiology and evaluation”. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 46 (2): 159–65. doi:10.1016/j.bcmd.2010.11.004. PMID 21208814.
- ↑ Cook JD, Skikne BS (1989). “Iron deficiency: definition and diagnosis”. J Intern Med. 226 (5): 349–55. PMID 2681511.
- ↑ Lopez A, Cacoub P, Macdougall IC, Peyrin-Biroulet L (2016). “Iron deficiency anaemia”. Lancet. 387 (10021): 907–16. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60865-0. PMID 26314490.
- ↑ Camaschella C (2015). “Iron deficiency: new insights into diagnosis and treatment”. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2015: 8–13. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2015.1.8. PMID 26637694.
- ↑ Rector WG (1989). “Pica: its frequency and significance in patients with iron-deficiency anemia due to chronic gastrointestinal blood loss”. J Gen Intern Med. 4 (6): 512–3. PMID 2585159.
- ↑ Simpson E, Mull JD, Longley E, East J (2000). “Pica during pregnancy in low-income women born in Mexico”. West J Med. 173 (1): 20–4, discussion 25. PMC 1070964. PMID 10903283.
- ↑ Corazza GR, Valentini RA, Andreani ML, D’Anchino M, Leva MT, Ginaldi L; et al. (1995). “Subclinical coeliac disease is a frequent cause of iron-deficiency anaemia”. Scand J Gastroenterol. 30 (2): 153–6. PMID 7732338.
- ↑ Chen MH, Su TP, Chen YS, Hsu JW, Huang KL, Chang WH; et al. (2013). “Association between psychiatric disorders and iron deficiency anemia among children and adolescents: a nationwide population-based study”. BMC Psychiatry. 13: 161. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-13-161. PMC 3680022. PMID 23735056.
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH