Iron Deficiency Anemia

Hematology · ~5% of blueprint

Pathophysiology: ↓ iron stores → ↓ hemoglobin synthesis → microcytic, hypochromic anemia; chronic blood loss is the most common cause.
Signs & Symptoms: Fatigue, pallor, dyspnea; pica, koilonychia, glossitis; history of menorrhagia or GI bleeding.
Gold Standard Diagnosis: Microcytic anemia (↓ MCV); ↓ ferritin (most specific), ↓ serum iron, ↑ TIBC.
First-line Treatment: Oral iron supplementation; identify and treat the source of blood loss.

High-Yield Pearl

Low ferritin is the most specific test; unexplained IDA in men and postmenopausal women needs bidirectional endoscopy.

Sources

Reviewed September 2026

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