Iron deficiency anemia is the opposite of Megaloblastic Anemia. In this, the cells are smaller and fewer in number than the normal range. As a result, there aren’t enough cells to supply oxygen to the body organs and tissues.

Causes of Iron deficiency Anemia

• Bleeding is one cause through which the body loses more iron. The condition is frequent in women who have heavy menstrual periods.
• Iron deficiency in the diet.

In aplastic anemia, the bone marrow stops generating new blood cells. Sometimes it stops producing the one type but more often it stops producing all three i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The condition is rare but it’s completely curable.

Thalassemia is a blood disorder caused by a lack of haemoglobin production. This results in the less number of red blood cells and haemoglobin than the required range. It is an inherited condition.

Symptoms of Iron and B12 deficiency

Since iron and vitamin B12 are essential for red blood cells, here are some of the symptoms to look for, in case you feel that you have deficiency of any of the mentioned nutrients.

• Weakness or exhaustion
• Pale or yellow skin
• Breathing problems
• Dizziness
• Aches and pains
• Irregular heartbeats
• Pain in the chest
• Cold hands and feet
• Brittle Nails, cracked nails that are flat or spoon-shaped
• Hair loss
• Pica (cravings for non-food items such as dirt, starch, clay, or ice)
• Sore and swollen tongue
• Restless legs syndrome (a strong need to move your legs)

Diagnosis can be done with the help of various methods:

Complete blood count (CBC) test, through which the count of cells, haemoglobin and other components in the body is measured . Following the test, the doctor will inquire about your family and medical history.

Peripheral blood smear examination, the test examines the size and shape of your red blood cells.

Hematocrit test measures the amount of blood and percentage of red blood cells in the body.

Hemoglobin test determines the amount of haemoglobin protein present in the blood. The count will be low, if you are anemic.

The Serum Iron test determines the amount of iron in the blood.

Reticulocyte count determines the number of new red blood cells formed in the blood.

Anemia that is inherited, cannot be prevented. However, anemia caused by deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 could be cured by following a healthy diet. This includes having foods that provide iron and these vitamins, along with vitamin C food sources that will help your body with the absorption.

Keep yourself hydrated because some studies have also indicated that it will help keep hemoglobin levels up.