Is iron-deficiency anemia serious?

If undiagnosed or untreated, iron-deficiency anemia can cause serious complications, including heart failure and development delays in children. Explore this Health Topic to learn more about iron-deficiency anemia, our role in research and clinical trials to improve health, and where to find more information.

How long can you live with low iron anemia?

With treatment, most people recover from iron-deficiency anemia in 2 to 3 months. You may need to take iron supplements for several months longer, though, to build up your reserves of iron.

Can you be hospitalized for low iron?

Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require a blood transfusion, iron injections, or intravenous (IV) iron therapy. Treatment may need to be done in a hospital. The goals of treating iron-deficiency anemia are to treat its underlying cause and restore normal levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and iron.

What can happen if iron deficiency anemia is left untreated?

However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following: Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood when you’re anemic.

Is iron deficiency anemia curable?

Iron deficiency can’t be corrected overnight. You may need to take iron supplements for several months or longer to replenish your iron reserves. Generally, you’ll start to feel better after a week or so of treatment. Ask your doctor when to have your blood rechecked to measure your iron levels.

What happens if low iron is not treated?

What happens if your iron level is 0?

Without enough iron, your body can’t produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.

What happens if anemia goes untreated?

If left untreated, the symptoms of anemia will become worse over time. Some of these symptoms are: fatigue, weakness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath or lightheadness. If anemia is not treated, the heart continues to pump harder to get oxygen through the body.

Can anemia be life threatening?

Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal.

How low can your iron get before you need a transfusion?

Some doctors believe that hospital patients who fall below 10 g/dL should get a blood transfusion. But recent research found that: Many patients with levels between 7 and 10 g/dL may not need a blood transfusion. One unit of blood is usually as good as two, and it may even be safer.

Why would a diet deficient in iron lead to anemia?

Without enough iron, your body will make fewer RBCs or will produce smaller RBCs than normal. This leads to iron deficiency anemia secondary to inadequate dietary iron intake. In other words, the anemia is caused by not getting enough iron from the foods you eat.

What foods can cure anemia?

Leafy greens. Leafy greens,especially dark ones,are among the best sources of nonheme iron.

What is the prognosis of iron deficiency anemia?

Mild iron deficiency anemia usually doesn’t cause complications. However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following: Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

What happens if my Anemia goes untreated?

If left untreated, the symptoms of anemia will become worse over time. Some of these symptoms are: fatigue, weakness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath or lightheadness. If anemia is not treated, the heart continues to pump harder to get oxygen through the body. As the anemia goes on, the symptoms will continue to get worse.