Iron deficiency. Current trends and fads.
Anaemia due to iron deficiency remains the commonest form of anaemia world-wide, predominantly due to blood loss, either associated with infestations such as hook worm or menstrual blood loss, or malnutrition. In Australia, iron deficiency anaemia is the commonest form of anaemia and is seen in pregnant and breastfeeding females where the iron balance is often in a negative state. Fads and fallacies abound, particularly in this group. Despite extensive knowledge of iron metabolism, diagnosis of iron deficiency often remains a difficult problem. The use of diagnostic tests available is discussed in this article.
Haematology Department, Royal Perth Hospital, WA.
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Herrmann
D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001315:Australia; D001810:Blood Volume; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D011247:Pregnancy; D013177:Sports
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007501:Iron