Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Iron deficiency anemia classification
Introduction
Overview
Overview
There is no established system for the classification of iron deficiency anemia. However, based on the pathology it can be divided into 2 types on the basis of cause of iron deficiency into absolute iron deficiency and functional iron deficiency.
Classification
Classification
Iron deficiency anemia can be classified into[1].
- Absolute iron deficiency arising due to the lowered or exhausted level of total body iron stores.
- Functional iron deficiency wherein the total body iron stores are normal or increased, with the insufficient iron supply to the bone marrow. Functional iron deficiency is present in many acute and chronic inflammatory states. In this case, the problem lies within utilization of iron stores.
References
References
- ↑ 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.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jogeet Singh Sekhon, M.D. [3]