Diagnostic algorithm for iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia, which is based on iron deficiency in the blood serum, bone marrow, depot and tissues, is more common than other forms of anemia. The most frequent etiological factors of iron deficiency anemia are known to be various kinds of blood loss: menorrhagia and metrorrhagia (in women), from the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, erosions, diverticula, hemorrhoids, non-specific ulcerative colitis, etc.), hematuria, nasal and uterine bleeding. The causes of this anemia can be tumors of various localizations, rare diseases (pulmonary hemosiderosis, glomus cysts), worm infestations, chronic infections, enteritis and intestinal resection. Anemia can also occur in women during pregnancy and lactation, when the body's need for iron increases, in adolescents with an insufficient baseline level (if their mothers suffered from iron deficiency anemia), and in donors.