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*

*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*

*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
Treatment

(NatureMade Iron)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (10 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (8)
Treatment

(Vitamin C with Rose Hips)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (3)
Treatment

(Ferro-Sequels)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (1)
Treatment

(Fergon)
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

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 29
20s 172
30s 418
40s 598
50s 723
60s 422
70+ 223

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 218
Female 2,325

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

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.



Common symptoms reported by people with iron deficiency anemia

Common symptoms
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.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for iron deficiency anemia

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(NatureMade Iron)
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
471
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (8)
Treatment name(s)

(Vitamin C with Rose Hips)
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
308
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Ferro-Sequels)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
128
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Fergon)
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.
Last updated:


Compare treatments taken by people with iron deficiency anemia

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(NatureMade Iron)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (10 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (8)
Treatment name(s)

(Vitamin C with Rose Hips)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Ferro-Sequels)
Perceived effectiveness
for iron deficiency anemia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Fergon)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
iron deficiency anemia (1)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with iron deficiency anemia, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:



Who has iron deficiency anemia on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 8 new patients joined this month
  • 516 say iron deficiency anemia is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 29
20s 172
30s 418
40s 598
50s 723
60s 422
70+ 223
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 268
20-29 years 179
30-39 years 173
40-49 years 136
50-59 years 61
60-69 years 21
70+ years 12

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 218
Female 2,325

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 1,222
Not Diagnosed 35

These charts show data from iron deficiency anemia patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: