Iron Deficiency Symptoms and Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of treatment for iron deficiency anemia?

To improve the overall health of the patient

To increase iron levels in the body

To correct the underlying cause of anemia (correct)

To reduce the symptoms of anemia

What is the recommended daily dose of elemental iron for oral iron supplementation in iron deficiency anemia?

9mg/kg/day

12mg/kg/day

3mg/kg/day

6mg/kg/day (correct)

Why is it recommended to take iron supplements between meals?

To improve the taste of the supplements

To increase iron absorption (correct)

To reduce iron absorption

To prevent gastrointestinal side effects

What is the first step in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia?

Treatment of the underlying cause Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to address the underlying cause of iron deficiency anemia?

To reduce the risk of recurrence Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of oral iron supplementation over other forms of iron therapy?

It is more convenient Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended frequency of iron supplementation in iron deficiency anemia?

Three times a day Signup and view all the answers

Why is iron therapy essential in iron deficiency anemia?

To correct the iron deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of compensatory mechanisms in anemia?

To increase oxygen delivery Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of renal hypoxemia in anemia?

Increased erythropoietin production Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased cardiac output in anemia?

Increased blood flow to vital organs Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of erythropoietin in anemia?

To stimulate the differentiation of erythroid precursors into mature erythrocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical manifestation of increased erythropoietin production in anemia?

Bony pain with an expansion of the marrow Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of increased tissue perfusion in anemia?

Increased oxygen delivery to vital organs Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased oxygen unloading in anemia?

Increased oxygen delivery to tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold for anemia in terms of hemoglobin level?

Less than 7 gm/dL Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of mutations in the genes for the hemoglobin protein?

Hemoglobinopathies Signup and view all the answers

What can cause hemoglobin deficiency?

Decreased amount of hemoglobin molecules or decreased ability of each molecule to bind oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal hematocrit value (HCT) for males?

37-49% Signup and view all the answers

What does the MCV reflect?

The average size or volume of the RBC Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal value of MCV in femtoliter (fl)?

70-100 fl Signup and view all the answers

What does the MCH indicate?

The weight of Hb in the average RBC Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of normal RBCs?

No nucleus, biconcave discs, and center 1/3 pallor Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of reticulocyte (young RBCs)?

No nucleus, reticulum of RNA, and light blue staining Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by anorexia, poor weight gain, poor nutrition, angular stomatitis, and atrophic glossitis.
Irritability and anorexia occur in advanced cases.
The spleen is palpably enlarged in 10-15% of cases.

Effects on the Body

Iron deficiency affects alertness and learning abilities in children and adolescents.
Nail changes include thin, brittle, broken, or spoon-shaped nails with longitudinal ridges.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Complete blood count shows microcytic hypochromic anemia, normal reticulocyte count, normal white cell count, and thrombocytosis may occur.
Serum ferritin is decreased to less than 10 ng/ml.
Serum iron level is decreased to less than 30 μg/dl.
Total iron binding capacity (serum transferrin) is increased to more than 350 μg/dl.
Free erythrocytic protoporphyrin is increased.

Bone Marrow Examination

Bone marrow is hypercellular with erythroid hyperplasia.
Normoblasts show decreased hemoglobin content.
Leukocytes and megakaryocytes are normal.

Stool Examination

Stool examination detects overt or occult blood or parasites like hookworms.

Differential Diagnosis

Thalassemia trait: family history of thalassemia, reticulocytosis, Hb levels not decreased below 7 gm/dl, elevated Hb A2 (3.4-7%), and normal serum iron, iron-binding capacity, and serum ferritin.
Anemia of chronic disease and infection: serum iron level and iron-binding capacity are reduced, and serum ferritin levels are normal.
Lead poisoning: blood film shows coarse basophilic staining of RBCs, and elevated blood lead.

Treatment

Treatment of the underlying cause
Iron therapy: oral iron supplementation of 6mg/kg/day of elemental iron, given in 3 divided doses, better between meals.

Compensatory Mechanisms

To increase oxygen delivery:
- Increase in blood flow
- Increase in red cell mass
- Increase oxygen unloading

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in RBCs that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues.
Hemoglobin deficiency can be caused by decreased amount of hemoglobin molecules or decreased ability of each molecule to bind oxygen.

Blood Indices

Normal RBCs: no nucleus, biconcave discs, center 1/3 pallor, pink cytoplasm, and 100-120 days life span.
Reticulocytes (young RBCs): no definite nucleus, reticulum of RNA, deep blue staining, light blue cytoplasm, and cell size about 10 µ.
Hematocrit value (HCT): portion of 100 blood composed of the erythrocytes, normal males range from 37-49%, and normal females range from 36-46%.
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): average size or volume of the RBC, calculated as follows: MCV = Volume of packed red cells in 1000 ml blood (Hct X 10)/ RBC Count (Red cell count) in million in microliter, normal value 70-100 femtoliter (fl).
Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH): weight of Hb in the average red cell, calculated as follows: MCHC = Amount of Hb in 100 ml blood X 100/ Hct Volume of packed red cells, normal value 32-36%.

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Description

This quiz covers the symptoms and effects of iron deficiency, including anorexia, poor weight gain, poor nutrition, and various physical and neurological changes. Test your knowledge of the signs and consequences of iron deficiency.