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Haematology

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

BSG 2021 — diagnosis (ferritin, transferrin saturation), GI investigation in adults, iron replacement (oral vs IV), recurrence assessment.

Source: BSG 2021; BSH

Used in: Anaemia
Step 1 of ~3
info

Diagnose IDA

Microcytic hypochromic anaemia (MCV ↓, MCH ↓) + iron studies: ferritin <30 micrograms/L (definitive); ferritin 30–100 + transferrin saturation <20% suggests IDA in chronic disease/inflammation. Pseudo-deficiency in inflammation: ferritin acute-phase reactant — interpret with CRP. Symptoms: fatigue, breathlessness, pallor, koilonychia, glossitis, angular cheilitis, pica, restless legs. Causes: blood loss (GI, menstrual, urinary, surgical), malabsorption (coeliac, IBD, gastrectomy, H. pylori), increased demand (pregnancy, growth), dietary insufficiency.

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.