What is iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of microcytic anemia (anemia characterized by small red blood cells). It occurs when the dietary intake or absorption of iron is insufficient, and hemoglobin, which contains iron, cannot be formed.
How do members experience iron deficiency anemia?
Top 5 symptoms reported by people with iron deficiency anemia*
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Dry eyes
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Memory problems
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Top treatments taken by people for iron deficiency anemia*
Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
469
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(8)
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
304
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(3)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
128
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(2)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
100
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(1)
*Data from patients with iron deficiency anemia, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Compare treatments taken by people with iron deficiency anemia*
Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (12 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea
digestive problems
Total evaluations
12
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(8)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(3)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia
(1)
*Data from patients with iron deficiency anemia, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Who has iron deficiency anemia on PatientsLikeMe?
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 24 | |
| 20s | 160 | |
| 30s | 410 | |
| 40s | 582 | |
| 50s | 718 | |
| 60s | 395 | |
| 70+ | 207 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 214 | |
| Female | 2,249 |