Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed in the Private Practice Setting

    November 2011 in “ Blood ”
    Thomas A. Bensinger, Ayana M Elliott, Laura Hostovich, Martin D. Weltz
    TLDR Early detection and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, especially in premenopausal women, is crucial for rapid symptom improvement.
    The study examined 130 patients diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a community-based hematology-oncology practice. The majority of patients were female (94%) and premenopausal, with heavy menstrual blood loss due to uterine fibroids being the most common cause (67%), followed by gastric bypass surgery (24%). Symptoms included tiredness, weakness, brittle nails, hair loss, and pica, with unusual cravings such as ice, clay, and paper. Laboratory findings showed low ferritin levels and thrombocytosis in some patients. The study concluded that IDA was often inadequately assessed and treated, recommending early identification and treatment with intravenous iron, which improved symptoms rapidly, including resolving pica within two weeks. Reactions to intravenous iron were rare and manageable.
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