Iron Deficiency Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Iron Deficiency Anemia?
A primary care doctor can often diagnose and treat this type of anemia. A hematologist, a doctor who treats blood diseases, may help with hard cases. A gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats digestive problems, may look for hidden bleeding. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is iron deficiency anemia?
This is a type of anemia. It develops if you do not have enough iron in your body. It is the most common type of anemia.
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Iron is a key part of red blood cells. Without iron to make hemoglobin, your blood cannot carry oxygen well.
Symptoms
You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild. Symptoms are often mild at first and grow slowly. They may include:
- Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise
- Headaches and dizziness
- Palpitations, or a pounding heartbeat
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale skin
As the anemia gets worse, you may also have:
- Brittle nails and hair loss
- A desire to eat ice or other non-food things, called pica
- Feeling lightheaded when you stand up
- Shortness of breath
- A sore tongue and mouth ulcers
Causes of iron loss can have signs too. These include dark, tar-colored stools or blood in the stool, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pain in the upper belly from ulcers.
Causes and who gets it
Iron deficiency anemia develops when your body's iron stores run low. This can happen when:
- You lose more blood and iron than your body can replace
- Your body does not absorb iron well
- You do not eat enough foods that contain iron
- You need more iron than normal, such as in pregnancy or while breastfeeding
Bleeding can come from heavy, long, or frequent periods. It can also come from peptic ulcer disease, or cancer in the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, or colon. Long-term use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood thinners can also cause bleeding in the gut.
Celiac disease, Crohn disease, gastric bypass surgery, and too many antacids can stop your body from taking in iron. Strict vegetarians may fall short. Young children can develop it between the ages of 9 months and 1 year, when they move to whole foods.
How doctors diagnose it
To diagnose anemia, your provider may order a complete blood count (CBC). To check iron levels, they may order a serum iron test or a serum ferritin test. A total iron binding capacity (TIBC) test is another choice. A bone marrow biopsy may be done if the answer is not clear.
Your provider may also look for where blood is being lost. Tests may include a colonoscopy, a stool blood test, or an upper endoscopy. Tests of the urinary tract or uterus may also be done.
Treatment
Treatment may include taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods. Iron pills are the most common treatment. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need extra iron. Often the anemia improves or goes away with 6 weeks of iron therapy. You then keep taking iron for another 6 months to rebuild your iron stores.
Iron pills may cause nausea, vomiting, or constipation. Talk to your doctor if you have side effects.
If you cannot take iron by mouth, you may get it through a vein (IV) or, less often, by a shot into the muscle. IV iron can cause vomiting or headaches right after the treatment. These usually go away within a day or two. People with serious iron deficiency anemia or long-term conditions are more likely to get IV iron. A blood transfusion may be used for serious cases. Surgery may be needed to stop internal bleeding.
Iron-rich foods include chicken, turkey, fish, meat, beans, lentils, and spinach. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes have it. Black tea can reduce iron absorption.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of iron deficiency. Also contact your provider if you notice blood or a black, tar-like look in your stool.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain that lasts two minutes or more, fainting, severe trouble breathing, vomiting blood, or bleeding that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can order blood tests and help find the cause of the iron loss. They can also track your iron levels and refer you to a specialist.
Common questions
Is iron deficiency the most common type of anemia?
Yes. It is the most common type of anemia.
Do people with iron deficiency always have symptoms?
No. You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild. Symptoms are often mild at first and develop slowly.
Can iron deficiency be prevented?
It may be preventable in some cases. Treating the causes of blood loss or poor iron absorption can help. A healthy diet with good sources of iron and vitamin C also helps.
What if iron deficiency is not treated?
Untreated, it may cause serious problems. These include fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Iron deficiency anemia
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
