What is anaemia from iron deficiency?
The definition of anemia consists of a reduced amount of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and/or a small amount of red blood pigment (hemoglobin). If anaemia is caused by iron deficiency, not enough red blood pigment is produced, so that the erythrocytes are particularly small and do not contain much haemoglobin. This is called microcytic (small cells), hypochromic (low haemoglobin) anaemia.
Causes
The causes of iron deficiency anaemia are manifold. Too little iron in the diet can lead to a reduced iron intake. Frequently affected are people who eat an unbalanced diet or one that is free of animal products or meat, as meat is the best source of iron for humans.
However, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can also result in a reduced absorption of iron and thus cause anaemia due to iron deficiency. Iron is needed in the body for the formation of haemoglobin. If not enough haemoglobin can be produced due to low iron levels, this value drops in the blood and anaemia develops. In addition, due to the reduced haemoglobin, only a few erythrocytes can be produced, so that there is also a lack of red blood cells.
Diagnosis /Laboratory values
In order to determine an anaemia, an anamnesis should first be taken, in which typical symptoms of anaemia can be identified. During the physical examination a paleness is usually noticeable, and the corners of the mouth may also be torn. The most important diagnostic step in anaemia due to iron deficiency is the determination of laboratory values.
A reduced concentration of haemoglobin and erythrocytes can be detected in the blood. In most cases, the less significant serum iron is also determined. On the other hand, the determination of iron transporters from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood and the iron transport in the blood is of great importance in differentiating the causes of iron deficiency from other possible triggers. Therefore, transferrin, transferrin saturation and ferritin are determined.
Reticulocytes
Reticulocytes are precursor cells of erythrocytes. Reticulocytes are formed in the bone marrow, where they mature into finished red blood cells and then enter the blood. In the case of anaemia due to iron deficiency, there is a lower concentration of erythrocytes in the blood.
The body tries to compensate for this by producing many new cells. Due to the lack of red blood cells, the body begins to release preliminary stages such as reticulocytes into the blood. An increased reticulocyte level in the blood therefore indicates increased blood formation.
These are the symptoms I recognise as anaemia from iron deficiency
The typical symptoms of anaemia due to iron deficiency are usually unspecific. Thus, iron deficiency anaemia manifests itself as a weakness in performance, fatigue, concentration problems and increased headaches. In addition, a pronounced paleness of the skin and mucous membranes (in the mouth, conjunctiva at the eyes) can occur.
A sharp increase in heart rate during exercise is also not uncommon in anaemia. In anaemia due to iron deficiency, damage to the skin (corner of the mouth) and the mucous membranes (aphthae) also occurs. Nails and hair also become brittle.
It is not uncommon for iron deficiency anaemia to cause sleep disorders. Circles under the eyes are usually dark half to third circles. They typically occur in cases of sleep deficiency (especially chronic).
Iron deficiency can also be the cause of dark circles under the eyes. The cause of the dark circles is mainly due to a greater transparency of the skin and connective tissue, which are located at the site of the dark circles. This allows the dark colour of the vessels underneath to shine through the skin particularly well, making the dark circles look dark.
Ruptured corners of the mouth (mouth rashes) are typical symptoms that occur specifically in iron deficiency anaemia (i.e. no other form of anaemia). The corners of the mouth rupture where the upper and lower lips meet. Typically, the corners of the mouth are painful, so that eating in particular, but also speaking can be affected by pain. In the case of anaemia due to iron deficiency, the skin and mucous membranes are so disturbed that the cracked corners of the mouth are easily formed. Infections or particularly dry skin can also cause the corners of the mouth to rupture.