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Mild severity
· MD Medicine
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Low haemoglobin · Iron stores empty
Insufficient iron means the body can't make enough haemoglobin. Common in menstruating women and growing children — treatable with diet and iron tablets.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 2 Indian women
- Typical age
- Women, children
- Outlook
- Curable
- System
- Hormones
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Menstrual blood loss
- Pregnancy demand
- Inadequate dietary iron
- Worm infestation
- Bleeding ulcer
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Fatigue, weakness
- Pale skin and tongue
- Breathlessness
- Pica (craving ice, soil)
- Brittle nails, hair loss
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Oral iron 60 mg/day (with vitamin C)
- Treat underlying cause (heavy periods, worms)
- IV iron in severe
- Dietary iron — meat, dal, jaggery
- Re-check Hb in 8 weeks
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Iron-rich diet through life
- Treat menorrhagia
- Deworm twice a year if at risk
- Antenatal iron supplementation
- Vitamin C with iron
Do’s
- Take iron tablets on empty stomach
- Pair with citrus / lemon
- Treat heavy periods
- Re-test Hb after 8 weeks
Don’ts
- Take iron with tea, coffee or calcium
- Stop iron after one normal reading
- Ignore tar-coloured stools
- Self-medicate for chronic anemia
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.