iron deficiency anaemia
Definition
- Noun:
- A form of anemia: This term refers to a specific type of anemia, which is a condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells.
- Due to lack of iron: The primary cause of this condition is an insufficient amount of iron in the body. This can occur because of a diet lacking in iron or because the body cannot properly absorb iron.
- Or to iron loss as a result of chronic bleeding: An alternative cause is the chronic (long-term) loss of blood, which leads to a continuous loss of iron from the body.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The doctor diagnosed the patient with iron deficiency anaemia after reviewing the blood test results.
- A common symptom of iron deficiency anaemia is persistent fatigue and pale skin.
- Pregnant women are often screened for iron deficiency anaemia because of increased nutritional demands.
Advanced Usage
- The condition is a specific etiological (cause-based) classification of anemia, distinguishing it from other types like vitamin B12 deficiency anemia or sickle cell anemia.
- In medical contexts, it is often discussed in relation to hematological parameters such as low hemoglobin, low serum ferritin, and microcytic hypochromic red blood cells visible on a blood smear.
Variants and Related Words
- Iron-deficiency anemia (noun): An alternative spelling, primarily used in American English (with 'anemia').
- Anaemia / Anemia (noun): The general condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity of hemoglobin.
- Iron deficiency (noun): The state of having inadequate iron stores, which may or may not have progressed to cause anemia.
Synonyms
- Microcytic anemia: A technical synonym referring to the characteristic small size of the red blood cells in this condition.
- Hypochromic anemia: A technical synonym referring to the pale color of the red blood cells due to low hemoglobin content.
Related Phrases
- Nutritional deficiency anemia: A broader category that includes iron deficiency anaemia as well as anemias caused by lack of folate or vitamin B12.
- Chronic blood loss anemia: A phrase describing iron deficiency anaemia specifically caused by the second major etiology, such as from a gastrointestinal ulcer or heavy menstrual bleeding.
Noun
-
a form of anemia due to lack of iron in the diet or to iron loss as a result of chronic bleeding
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