[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/iron-deficiency-and-iron-deficiency-anemia-what-you-need-to-know\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/iron-deficiency-and-iron-deficiency-anemia-what-you-need-to-know\/","headline":"Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: What You Need to Know","name":"Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: What You Need to Know","description":"Iron deficiency and the anemia that can result from it are serious conditions Learn more from Regional Cancer Care Associates\r\n","datePublished":"2025-02-14","dateModified":"2025-03-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"ceastway","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","width":506,"height":228}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/iStock-1879267438.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/iStock-1879267438.jpg","height":836,"width":1253},"url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/iron-deficiency-and-iron-deficiency-anemia-what-you-need-to-know\/","about":["All Cancers"],"wordCount":1662,"keywords":["News & Events"],"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: What You Need to Know\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFebruary 14, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMany people think of iron deficiency as an annoyance that leaves you yawning and tired throughout the day.\u00a0The truth is, iron deficiency and the anemia that can result from it are serious conditions.\u201cIron deficiency can do more than make you feel worn out,\u201d says Hemang Dave, MD, a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist who practices in the Cape May Court House and Marmora, NJ, offices of Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of oncology and hematology specialists. \u201cInsufficient iron levels can have a negative impact on quality of life and ultimately lead to more significant health issues,\u201d Dr. Dave says. Meanwhile, he adds, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can be an early warning sign of colorectal cancer or other serious disease marked by internal blood loss.1,2\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy Your Body Needs IronIron, a mineral that\u00a0typically is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestion of food, supports numerous physiological processes and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails.1 Among its other roles, iron contributes to the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in blood that transports oxygen. The body also uses iron stored in the liver and other organs to create red blood cells.1Most people need to take in between 8 and 18 milligrams of iron daily.3 The recommended amount is higher for pregnant women and for those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.3 If you don\u2019t get enough iron or experience blood loss due to a medical condition or procedure, iron deficiency can result.1,3In the early stages of iron deficiency, existing iron stores are \u201crecycled\u201d as older red blood cells are broken down and new ones created, so the body initially can compensate for the iron deficit.4 But if that deficit persists over time, the iron stores become further depleted and hemoglobin levels fall.5 Iron deficiency progresses to iron deficiency anemia when red blood cells become abnormally small or pale due to lack of hemoglobin,4 or when the body\u2019s supply of red blood cells becomes significantly reduced due to blood loss.1Anemia from any cause is common in the United States, affecting nearly 1 in 10 Americans aged 2 years and older.5 Anemia is more prevalent in females than in males (13.5% vs 5.5%), and prevalence also is higher among adults aged 60 years and older (12.5%).5 Anemia also is alarmingly high among African Americans, affecting 1 in 5 Blacks overall and nearly 1 in 3 Black females.5Meanwhile, research suggests that nearly 1 in 3 Americans are iron deficient to some extent.6Joseph McLaughlin, board-certified hematologist, internist, and medical oncologist at RCCA\u2019s Manchester, CT locationJoseph McLaughlin, MD, explains that many factors can contribute to iron deficiency. Dr. McLaughlin, a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist who practices in RCCA\u2019s Manchester, CT, office, says those factors include:PregnancyBreastfeedingRecent childbirthFollowing a vegan or vegetarian dietRegular vigorous exercise, which can cause blood cells to break down and excrete iron before the body can use it.1He adds that iron deficiency anemia can result from conditions that cause significant blood loss, such as:Menstruation, particularly heavy menstrual bleedingMajor surgeryPhysical traumaUlcerative colitis, Crohn\u2019s disease, and other benign (non-cancerous) gastrointestinal diseases, which can cause chronic internal blood loss or prevent the intestines from absorbing nutrientsColorectal cancerPeptic ulcers (sores in the digestive tract) that develop near a blood vesselBlood disorders such as sickle cell anemia (characterized by misshapen and fragile red blood cells) or thalassemia (abnormally small and pale blood cells)Kidney disease, which can interfere with the production of red blood cells1\u00a0What Iron Deficiency or IDA May Feel Like\u201cOne of the real challenges with iron deficiency and even iron deficiency anemia is that the onset is often gradual and the symptoms, particularly at first, are mild,\u201d says Dr. McLaughlin. He explains that many cases of the conditions are identified from the results of routine blood work in people seeing their doctor for a regularly scheduled physical. Symptoms can include:Unexplained fatigue or lack of energyCold hands or feetPale or sallow skinBrittle nails or hair lossUnexplained generalized weaknessShortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activitySore or smooth tongueHeadache, especially with activityRapid heartbeatPounding or “whooshing” in the earsUnusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt, clay or starch7When a person\u2019s symptoms, initial blood test results, or both indicate that he or she may have iron deficiency or IDA, a primary care provider typically will take a thorough history, perform a comprehensive exam, and order further lab tests. Those tests often include measurement of vitamin B12; iron; ferritin, a protein that stores iron; and transferrin, a protein that carries iron to cells throughout the body.Ferritin levels below 30 mg\/L indicate iron deficiency, while the level usually dips below 10 or 12 mg\/L in IDA. Similarly, hemoglobin counts of <13.0 g\/dL in men, <12.0 g\/dL in non-pregnant women, and <11.0 g\/dL in pregnant women are widely used thresholds for diagnosing IDA. (Hemoglobin levels are measured as part of the complete blood count, or CBC, which is a routine first-line test.)Finding the Cause and Treating the Condition\u00a0Dr. Dave says identifying iron deficiency or IDA is the beginning, not the end, of the evaluation process. \u201cUnderstanding which factors are contributing to iron deficiency can enable people to make helpful lifestyle changes, while determining what is giving rise to IDA is critical to finding or ruling out potentially life-threatening underlying causes, such as colon cancer,\u201d he notes. Depending on a person\u2019s medical history, age, symptoms, and blood test results, evaluations to investigate the cause of IDA may include urinalysis, ultrasound scans, colonoscopy, or other steps, the hematologist notes.Treatment of iron deficiency or IDA is tailored to each person\u2019s specific situation, he continues, with oral iron supplements often used as initial therapy. \u201cIt\u2019s important to talk with your doctor about what dose of iron you should take and about when and how you should take it,\u201d Dr. Dave says. He explains that such guidance is critical for avoiding taking an excessive dose and for minimizing common side effects of iron supplementation, such as stomach upset and constipation. Physicians also typically advise patients to increase their iron intake by eating iron-rich foods, such as meat and fish (if the patient is not vegan\/vegetarian), poultry, leafy green vegetables, legumes, and iron-enriched grains.When oral supplements and dietary changes are not sufficient to resolve iron deficiency or IDA, intravenous iron infusions can be an effective option.\u00a0Dr. McLaughlin says, \u201cIron deficiency is a common condition that can have a significant impact on health and quality of life. IDA, while less common, is more serious, and requires prompt attention. The good news, however, is that both conditions are highly treatable, and correcting them can make a huge difference in people\u2019s lives. The first steps are to have regular wellness visits with your primary care provider and \u2013 whether at those visits or when you first notice possible signs of an issue \u2013 to talk with your provider about your symptoms or concerns,\u201d he adds.Hemang Dave, board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist at RCCAFind Outstanding Care at RCCADrs. Dave and McLaughlin are among 100+ medical oncologists and hematologists who practice with RCCA at 26 locations across New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA\u2019s cancer specialists see more than 30,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 265,000 established patients, collaborating closely with those patients\u2019 other physicians. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to approximately 300\u00a0clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders, RCCA care centers also provide\u00a0infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including\u00a0multiple sclerosis,\u00a0Crohn\u2019s disease,\u00a0asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.To learn more about Regional Cancer Care Associates, call 1-844-346-7222\u00a0or visit\u00a0RCCA.com.References\u00a0Iron-deficiency anemia. American Society of Hematology.https:\/\/www.hematology.org\/education\/patients\/anemia\/iron-deficiency. Accessed January 17, 2025.Gvirtzman R, Livovsky DM, Tahover E, Goldin E, Koslowsky B. Anemia can predict the prognosis of colorectal cancer in the pre-operative stage: a retrospective analysis. World J Surg Oncol. 2021;19(1):341.Iron. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Iron-Consumer\/. Updated August 17, 2023. Accessed January 17, 2025.About iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Injectafer.https:\/\/injectaferhcp.com\/iron-deficiency-anemia-treatment\/what-is-ida. Accessed January 17, 2025.Williams AM, Ansai NA, Ahluwalia N, Nguyen DT. Anemia prevalence: United States, August 2021-August 2023. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/products\/databriefs\/db519.htm. Updated December 4, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2025.Tawfik YMK, Billingsley H, Bhatt AS. Absolute and functional iron deficiency in the US, 2017-2020. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(9):e2433126.Iron deficiency anemia. Mayo Clinic.https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/iron-deficiency-anemia\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355034. Published January 4, 2022. Accessed January 17, 2025.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twe are here for you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the\u00a0RCCA location\u00a0nearest you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequest an appointment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRELATED ARTICLES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetting Your First Mammogram on Schedule Really Matters: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain Why\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere are many reasons women don\u2019t obtain their first mammogram at the recommended age: work commitments and other demands on their time, uncertainty regarding when\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRising Colorectal Cancer Rates in Younger Adults: RCCA Oncologists Share 3 Ways to Cut Your Risk\u2028\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe February 11 announcement that actor James Van Der Beek had died at age 48 highlighted a troubling trend \u2013 the increasing rates of colon\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReducing Cervical Cancer Risk: Insights from 2 RCCA Oncologists\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWomen can take several steps to reduce their risk for developing cervical cancer, according to Ami P. Vaidya, MD.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: What You Need to Know","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/iron-deficiency-and-iron-deficiency-anemia-what-you-need-to-know\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]