iron-deficiency anemia, a microcytic hypochromic anemia caused by inadequate supplies of iron needed to synthesize hemoglobin. Symptoms are pallor, fatigue, anorexia, malaise, and weakness. Laboratory diagnosis includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and serum iron concentration. Iron deficiency may be the result of an inadequate dietary supply of iron, poor absorption of iron by the digestive system, chronic bleeding, or compensated hemolytic anemia. Replacement iron can be supplied by oral ferrous sulfate. The anemia corrects in 2 months, but therapy is continued for another 4 months to replace tissue stores. Compare hemolytic anemia, hypoplastic anemia. See also iron metabolism, nutritional anemia, red cell indexes.
