Microcytic hypochromic anaemia from depleted iron stores.
Causes
- • GI blood loss (occult cancer, peptic ulcer, NSAIDs)
- • Menorrhagia
- • Pregnancy
- • Malabsorption (coeliac, post-gastrectomy)
- • Hookworm (endemic)
Investigations
- • FBC: ↓ Hb, ↓ MCV, ↑ RDW
- • Ferritin <30 µg/L diagnostic (acute phase: also low transferrin saturation, ↑ TIBC)
- • Coeliac screen
- • OGD/colonoscopy in men + post-menopausal women
Management
- • Ferrous sulphate 200 mg OD or alt days × 3 months after Hb normalises
- • IV iron (ferric carboxymaltose) if intolerant / malabsorption / CKD
Clinical pearls
- • Alternate-day dosing improves absorption by avoiding hepcidin block
References
- • BSG iron deficiency 2021
Educational — verify locally.
