Introduction

Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition where a lack of iron in the body

leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells.
Iron is used to produce red blood cells, which help store and carry oxygen
in the blood. If you have fewer red blood cells than is normal, your organs
and tissues will not get as much oxygen as they usually would.
There are several different types of anaemia and each one has a different
cause, although iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type.
Other forms of anaemia can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folate in
the body. Read more about vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia
The main symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include:
tiredness and lethargy (lack of energy)
shortness of breath
heart palpitations (noticeable heartbeats)
a pale complexion
If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your GP, as they can
diagnose iron deficiency anaemia through a simple blood test.
Read more about the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia anddiagnosing
iron deficiency anaemia.
What causes iron deficiency anaemia?
There are many things that can lead to a lack of iron in the body.
In men and post-menopausal women, the most common cause is bleeding
in the stomach and intestines. This can be caused by takingnon-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a stomach ulcer,stomach
cancer or bowel cancer.
In women of reproductive age, the most common causes of iron deficiency
anaemia are heavy periods and pregnancy (as your body needs extra iron
for your baby).

Unless you're pregnant, it's rare for iron deficiency anaemia to be caused
just by a lack of iron in your diet. However, if you do lack dietary iron, it may
mean you're more likely to develop anaemia than if you have one of the
problems mentioned above.
Read more about the causes of iron deficiency anaemia.
How iron deficiency anaemia is treated
Treatment for iron deficiency anaemia involves taking iron supplements
to boost the low levels of iron in your body. This is usually effective and the
condition rarely causes long-term problems.
You will need to be monitored every few months to check the treatment is
working and that your iron levels have returned to normal.
The underlying cause will also need to be treated so that you don't get
anaemia again. You may also be advised to increase the amount of iron in
your diet.
Good sources of iron include:
dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress and curly kale
iron-fortified cereals or bread
brown rice
pulses and beans
nuts and seeds
meat, fish and tofu
eggs
dried fruit, such as dried apricots, prunes and raisins
Read more about treating iron deficiency anaemia.
Further problems
If iron deficiency anaemia is left untreated, it can make you more
susceptible to illness and infection, as a lack of iron in the body affects your
immune system (the bodys natural defence system).
Severe iron deficiency anaemia may increase your risk of developing
complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as tachycardia (an

abnormally fast heartbeat) or heart failure (when your heart is not pumping
blood around your body very well).
Pregnant women with severe or untreated anaemia also have a higher risk
of complications before and after birth.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia
Many people with iron deficiency anaemia will only have a few signs
or symptoms.
The severity of these symptoms largely depends on how quickly your
anaemia develops. You may only notice few symptoms or they may
develop gradually if your anaemia is caused by a long-term problem, such
as a stomach ulcer.
The most common symptoms include:
tiredness and lethargy (lack of energy)
shortness of breath
heart palpitations (noticeable heartbeats)
a pale complexion
Less common symptoms include:
headache
tinnitus (hearing sounds coming from inside the body, rather than
from an outside source)
an altered sense of taste
feeling itchy
a sore or abnormally smooth tongue
hair loss
a desire to eat non-food items, such as ice, paper or clay (a condition
known as pica)
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
painful ulcers (open sores) on the corners of your mouth
spoon-shaped nails

When to see your GP

If you experience symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, see your GP. They
can usually diagnose the condition with a simple blood test.
Causes of iron deficiency anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the body does not have enough
iron, leading to the decreased production of red blood cells.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body.
A lack of iron can be caused by several factors. Some of the most common
causes of iron deficiency anaemia are outlined below.
Monthly periods
In women of reproductive age, periods are the most common cause of iron
deficiency anaemia.
Usually, only women with heavy periods develop iron deficiency anaemia. If
you have heavy bleeding over several consecutive menstrual cycles, it is
known as menorrhagia.
Pregnancy
It is also very common for women to develop iron deficiency during
pregnancy. This is because your body needs extra iron to ensure your baby
has a sufficient blood supply and receives necessary oxygen and
nutrients. Some pregnant women require an iron supplement and others
may need to increase the amount of iron in their diet (see below).
Read more about vitamins and nutrition in pregnancy.
Gastrointestinal blood loss
Your gastrointestinal tract is the part of your body responsible for digesting
food. It contains the stomach and intestines.
Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is the most common cause of iron
deficiency anaemia in men, and in women who have been through
the menopause (when monthly periods stop). Most people with
gastrointestinal bleeding dont notice any obvious blood in their stools and
dont experience any changes in their bowel habits.
Some causes of gastrointestinal bleeding are outlined below.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause bleeding in the

stomach. Ibuprofen and aspirin are two commonly prescribed NSAIDs.
If your GP thinks your medication is causing gastrointestinal bleeding, they
can prescribe a less harmful medicine. Do not stop taking a medicine you
have been prescribed unless your GP advises you to.
Stomach ulcers
The acid in your stomach (which helps your body to digest food) can
sometimes eat into your stomach lining. When this happens, the acid forms
an ulcer (an open sore). This is also known as a stomach ulcer (or a peptic
ulcer).
Stomach ulcers can cause your stomach lining to bleed, which leads to
anaemia. In some cases, this blood loss can cause you to vomit
bloodor pass blood in your stools (faeces). However, if the ulcer bleeds
slowly, you may not have any symptoms.
Gastrointestinal cancer
In a few cases, gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by cancer, usually
of the stomach or colon.
When diagnosing the cause of anaemia, your GP will check for possible
signs of cancer. If your GP suspects cancer, you will be referred to a
gastroenterologist (a specialist in treating digestive conditions) for a more
thorough examination. This means that if cancer is found, it can be treated
as quickly as possible.
If you're aged 60 or over and have iron-deficiency anaemia, you should be
referred (for an appointment within 2 weeks) to a specialist to rule out
bowel cancer.
Read more about stomach cancer and bowel cancer.
Angiodysplasia
Gastrointestinal bleeding can also be caused by a condition called
angiodysplasia. This is due to abnormal blood vessels in the
gastrointestinal tract, which can cause bleeding.
Chronic kidney disease
Many people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop iron deficiency
anaemia.

Most people with CKD who have iron deficiency anaemia will be given iron
supplement injections, although daily tablets may be tried first.
Read more information from the National Institute of Health and Care
Excellence (NICE) on treating anaemia in people with chronic kidney
disease.
Other causes
Other conditions or actions that cause blood loss and may lead to iron
deficiency anaemia include:
inflammatory bowel disease a condition that causes inflammation
(redness and swelling) in the digestive system, such as Crohns
disease and ulcerative colitis
oesophagitis inflammation of the gullet (oesophagus) caused by
stomach acid leaking through it
schistosomiasis an infection caused by parasites and mainly found
in Sub-Saharan Africa
blood donation donating a large amount of blood may lead to
anaemia
trauma a serious accident, such as a car crash, may cause you to
lose a lot of blood
nosebleeds if you have a lot of nosebleeds, this may lead to
anaemia, although this is rare
haematuria (blood in your urine) although this rarely causes
anaemia and may be a symptom of another condition
Malabsorption
Malabsorption (when your body cannot absorb iron from food) is another
possible cause of iron deficiency anaemia.
This may happen if you have coeliac disease (a common digestive
condition, where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten) or surgery to
remove your stomach (gastrectomy).
Lack of iron in your diet
Unless you are pregnant, it is rare for iron deficiency anaemia to be caused
solely by a lack of iron in your diet. However, a lack of dietary iron can

make you more likely to develop anaemia if you also have any of the
conditions mentioned above.
Some studies suggest vegetarians or vegans are more at risk of iron
deficiency anaemia, due to the lack of meat in their diet. However, it is
possible to gain enough iron in a vegetarian or vegan diet through other
types of food, such as:
beans
nuts
dried fruit, such as dried apricots
wholegrains, such as brown rice
fortified breakfast cereals
soybean flour
most dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress and curly kale
Pregnant women may have to increase the amount of iron-rich food they
consume during their pregnancy to help avoid iron deficiency anaemia.
Diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia
If you experience symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, see your GP.
A simple blood test can usually confirm the diagnosis.
Your GP may also carry out a physical examination and ask you a number
of questions, to determine the cause of your anaemia.
Blood test
To diagnose iron deficiency anaemia, a blood sample is taken from a vein
in your arm and a full blood count is made. This means all the different
types of blood cells in the sample will be measured.
If you have anaemia:
your levels of haemoglobin (a substance that transports oxygen) will
be lower than normal
you will have fewer red blood cells (which contain haemoglobin) than
normal
your red blood cells may be smaller and paler than usual

Your GP may also test for a substance called ferritin a protein that stores
iron. If your ferritin levels are low, there is not much iron stored in your body
and you may have iron deficiency anaemia.
Read more about blood tests.
Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency
If your GP thinks your anaemia may be due to a vitamin B12 and folate
deficiency, the levels of these substances may be tested. Folate works with
vitamin B12 to help your body produce red blood cells.
This type of anaemia is more common in people who are over 75 years old.
Read more about vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia.
Finding the cause
To determine the underlying cause of your anaemia, your GP may
ask questions about your lifestyle and medical history. For example, you
may be asked about:
your diet to see what you typically eat and whether this includes
any iron-rich foods
any medicines that you take to see if you have been regularly
taking a type of medicine that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding
(bleeding from the stomach and intestines), such
as ibuprofenor aspirin
your menstrual pattern if you're a woman, your GP may ask if you
have been experiencing particularly heavy periods
your family history you will be asked if your immediate family has
anaemia or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or blood disorders
blood donation your GP may ask if you regularly donate blood
other medical conditions your GP may ask if you have recently
had another illness or experienced other symptoms, such as weight
loss
Iron deficiency anaemia is common during pregnancy. If you are pregnant,
your GP will usually only look for an alternative cause if a blood test has
shown a particularly low haemoglobin level, or if your symptoms or medical
history suggest your anaemia may be due to something else.
Physical examination
A physical examination will usually only be needed if the cause has not
been found through your medical history and symptoms.

In these cases, your GP may:

examine your abdomen (stomach) to check for any physical signs of
gastrointestinal bleeding
look for signs of heart failure (when your heart is not pumping blood
around your body very efficiently), such as swollen ankles, as heart
failure can have some similar symptoms to iron deficiency anaemia
Two other possible types of physical examination you may have are
explained below.
Rectal examination
A rectal examination is usually only needed if you are bleeding from your
bottom. This is a common procedure that can help your GP find out if there
is something in your gastrointestinal tract that is causing bleeding. Your GP
will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your bottom so they can feel any
abnormalities.
A rectal examination is not something to be embarrassed about, as it is a
procedure your GP will be used to doing. It should not cause great pain or
discomfort, and you will only feel a slight feeling, as if your bowels are
moving.
Pelvic examination
Women may have a pelvic examination if their GP suspects heavy
menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) may be the cause of their anaemia.
During a pelvic examination, your GP will examine your vulva and labia
(external sex organs) for signs of bleeding or infection. They may also
examine you internally. This will involve your GP inserting gloved,
lubricated fingers into your vagina to feel whether your uterus (womb) is
tender or enlarged.
A pelvic examination will not be done without your consent, and you can
choose to have someone with you.
Referral to a specialist
In some cases, your GP may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a specialist
in treating digestive conditions), who can carry out a more thorough
examination.
For example, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist if your GP can't
identify a cause and you have a particularly low haemoglobin level, or if

your GP thinks there is a possibility your symptoms could be caused by

stomach or colon cancer (although these are unlikely to be the cause).
If you are a woman with heavy periods, you may be referred to a
gynaecologist if you don't respond to treatment with iron supplements.
Treating iron deficiency anaemia
Treatment for iron deficiency anaemia usually involves
taking iron supplements and changing your diet to
increase your iron levels, as well as treating the
underlying cause.
Iron supplements
Your GP will prescribe an iron supplement to restore the iron
missing from your body. The most commonly prescribed
supplement is ferrous sulphate, which is taken as a tablet two or
three times a day.
Some people can experience side effects when taking iron
supplements, including:
abdominal (tummy) pain
constipation or diarrhoea
heartburn
feeling sick
black stools (faeces)
These side effects should settle down over time, although your GP
may advise taking the tablets with food or shortly after eating to
help minimise side effects, if they are severe. Your GP may also
recommend you only take one or two tablets a day, instead of
three, if you are finding side effects difficult to cope with.

If you cannot take ferrous sulphate because you get severe side
effects, you may be prescribed a different iron supplement called
ferrous gluconate. This supplement should cause fewer side
effects, as it contains a less concentrated dose of iron. However, it
may take longer for iron levels in your body to be restored.
In a few cases for example, if you have chronic kidney disease
(CKD) iron injections may be recommended instead of tablets.
Storing iron supplements
As with all medications, it's important to store iron supplements
out of the reach of children. This is because an overdose of iron
supplements in a young child can be fatal.
Dietary advice
If a lack of iron in your diet is thought to contribute to your iron
deficiency anaemia, your GP will tell you how to include more iron
in your diet.
Iron-rich foods include:
dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress and curly
kale
iron-fortified cereals or bread
brown rice
pulses and beans
nuts and seeds
white and red meat
fish
tofu

 eggs
dried fruit, such as dried apricots, prunes and raisins
You should also try and include foods from all major food groups
in your diet, to ensure it is healthy and well-balanced. In
particular, you should try to include foods and drinks containing
vitamin C, as vitamin C can help your body to absorb iron.
However, high levels of some foods and drinks, as well as
certain medicines, may make it harder for your body to absorb
iron. These include:
tea and coffee
calcium, found in dairy products such as milk
antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are
medications sometimes used to relieve indigestion
wholegrain cereals although wholegrains are a good source
of iron themselves, they contain phytic acid, which can stop
your body absorbing iron from other foods and pills
If you are finding it difficult to include iron in your diet, you may
be referred to a dietitian (a health professional who specialises in
nutrition). They can give you detailed, personalised advice about
how you can improve your diet.
Treating the underlying cause
Your GP will also need to ensure the underlying cause of your
anaemia is treated, so it doesn't happen again.
For example, if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) are causing bleeding in your stomach, your GP may
prescribe a different medicine to help minimise the risk of
stomach bleeding.

Heavy periods can be treated with medication and, in

particularly severe cases, surgery. Read more
about treating heavy periods.
Monitoring
Your GP will ask you to return for a check-up two to four weeks
after you have started taking iron supplements, to check how well
you have responded to the treatment. Your haemoglobin levels
will be checked in a blood test.
If the result of the blood test shows an improvement, you will be
asked to continue taking your iron supplements and return in two
to four months for another blood test.
Once your haemoglobin levels and red blood cells are normal,
your GP will usually recommend you continue taking iron
supplements for three months to help build up the iron levels in
your body.
After this, depending on the cause of your iron deficiency
anaemia, you should be able to stop taking the supplements. Your
condition will then be monitored every three months, over the
course of a year, and again a year later.
Continuing treatment
In some people, after iron levels in the body have been
replenished, they start to fall again.
This could happen if you don't get enough iron in your diet, you
are pregnant or you have consistently heavy periods.
If this happens, you may be prescribed an ongoing iron
supplement to help stop your anaemia returning. This will usually
be in tablet form, which you will have to take once a day.
If treatment is ineffective

If your iron levels do not improve, your GP will ask how regularly
you have been taking your iron supplements. Some people are
put off taking the medication because of the side effects (see
above). However, your condition will not improve if you don't take
the supplements.
If you have been taking the supplements as prescribed and your
iron levels have still not improved, your GP may refer you to a
specialist for a assessment.
Complications of iron deficiency anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia rarely causes serious or long-term
complications, although some people with the condition
find it affects their daily life.
Some common complications are outlined below.
Tiredness
As iron deficiency anaemia can leave you tired and lethargic
(lacking in energy), you may be less productive and active at
work. Your ability to stay awake and focus could decrease, and
you may not feel able to exercise regularly.
Increased risk of infections
Research has shown iron deficiency anaemia can affect your
immune system (the bodys natural defence system), making you
more likely to become ill.
Heart and lung problems
Adults with severe anaemia may be at risk of developing
complications that affect their heart or lungs.
For example, you may develop tachycardia (an abnormally fast
heartbeat) or heart failure (where your heart is not pumping blood
around your body very efficiently).

Pregnancy complications
Pregnant women with severe anaemia have an increased risk of
developing complications, particularly during and after birth. They
may also develop postnatal depression (which some parents
experience after having a baby).
Research suggests babies born to mothers who have untreated
anaemia are more likely to:
be born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
have a low birthweight
have problems with iron levels themselves
do less well in mental ability tests
Restless legs syndrome
Some cases of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are thought to be
caused by iron deficiency anaemia. Doctors may refer to this as
"secondary RLS".
RLS is a common condition affecting the nervous system, which
causes an overwhelming, irresistible urge to move the legs. It also
causes an unpleasant feeling in the feet, calves and thighs.
RLS caused by iron-deficiency anaemia can usually be treated
with iron supplements.
Widely used blood tests
Blood tests can be used in a number of ways, such as
helping to diagnose a condition, assessing the health of
certain organs or screening for some genetic conditions.
This page describes some of the most widely used blood tests.
Full blood count (FBC)

During an FBC, a small sample of blood will be taken from a vein

in your arm. The amount of different types of blood cells in the
sample will be measured.
On its own, an FBC cannot usually provide a definitive diagnosis of
a condition, but it can provide important "clues" about possible
problems with your health, such as:
low haemoglobin indicates anaemia, which has a number
of possible causes, including internal bleeding or a poor diet
high haemoglobin which may be caused by an
underlying lung disease or problems with the bone marrow
a low white blood cell count which may be genetic and
of no significance, but could also be caused by problems
with your bone marrow, a viral infection or more rarely,
cancer of the bone marrow
a high white blood cell count which usually suggests
you have an infection somewhere in your body or, rarely,
could be a sign of leukaemia
a low platelet count which may be caused by a viral
infection or an autoimmune condition (where the immune
system attacks healthy tissue)
a high platelet count which may be caused by
inflammatory conditions, infection or a problem with the
bone marrow
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
The test works by measuring how long it takes for red blood cells
to fall to the bottom of the test tube. The quicker they fall, the
more likely it is that there are high levels of inflammation.

An ESR is often used to aid diagnosis in conditions associated with

inflammation such as:
arthritis
endocarditis
Crohns disease
temporal arteritis
polymyalgia rheumatica
Along with other tests, an ESR can be useful in confirming
whether you have an infection in your body.
C-reactive protein (CRP) test
A C-reactive protein test is another blood test used to
help diagnose conditions that cause inflammation.
CRP is produced by the liver and if there is a higher concentration
of CRP than usual, there is inflammation in your body.
Coagulation tests
A coagulation test may be used to measure how fast your blood
clots. This is used to check for bleeding disorders, such
as haemophilia orvon Willebrand disease.
International normalised ratio (INR) test
The international normalised ratio (INR) is used to monitor your
dose ofanticoagulants, such as warfarin.
During the test, a sample of your blood is taken and a chemical is
added to it. The chemical starts a chain of reactions that should
make the blood in the sample clot (thicken).
During the clotting process, a protein in the blood (prothrombin)
turns into an enzyme called thrombin. The time that it takes the

prothrombin to turn into thrombin is called the prothrombin time

("pro-time", or PT). This is measured in seconds.
Your PT is compared with the PT of someone who is not taking
warfarin, which gives your INR.
Read more detailed information about how anticoagulant
medication is monitored.
Electrolyte test
Electrolytes are minerals found in the body. They have several
functions, including:
helping to move nutrients into cells (and waste products out
of them)
helping to maintain a healthy water balance in your body
helping to stabilise levels of acid and alkali in your body
There are three main electrolytes that can be measured with an
electrolyte test:
sodium
potassium
chloride
Raised or lowered levels of any of these electrolytes can have
various possible causes.
A raised sodium level (hypernatremia) could be the result
ofdehydration, uncontrolled diabetes or persistent diarrhoea.
A low sodium level (hyponatremia) is usually caused by
certain types of medication, such as diuretics. Rarely, it
could be due to a condition such as diabetes insipidus.

 A raised potassium level (hyperkalemia) could be the

results of kidney failure. Certain medications can raise
potassium levels, for example ACE inhibitors, which are used
to treat heart failure andhigh blood pressure.
A low potassium level (hypokalemia) could be the result
of heavy sweating or persistent vomiting or diarrhoea. It can
also be caused by certain medications.
Blood glucose (blood sugar) test
Most people with diabetes will need regular blood glucose tests as
reducing the glucose levels is an important part of the treatment
of diabetes.
This is because if the blood sugar levels become too high, a range
of serious complications, such as kidney disease or nerve
damage, may occur.
Blood glucose test kits may be available to use at home. These
only require a small "pin prick" of blood for testing.
People with type 2 diabetes usually don't need to check their
sugar at home, it will be tested every three-to-six months at your
GP surgery or hospital. The test shows the average blood sugar
level over the past three months.
Some types of blood glucose test require you not to eat anything
for several hours before the test. Your GP or diabetes care team
can tell you whether this is the case.
Thyroid function test
If your GP suspects you have may an overactive or underactive
thyroid, they will take a sample of your blood and test it for levels
of:
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

 thyroxine and triiodothyronine (the thyroid hormones)

If you have lower or higher-than-average levels of these
hormones, it could mean you have a thyroid condition, or are at
risk of developing one in the future.
Read more detailed information about:
diagnosing an overactive thyroid
diagnosing an underactive thyroid
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test
If you have a viral or a bacterial infection, such as HIV, or you
have developed an allergy, your immune system will produce
specific antibodies in response to the infection or allergy.
The ELISA test takes a small blood sample and checks to see if it
contains the associated antibody.
Blood tests are particularly useful when you are at risk of an
extreme reaction or when a rare allergen is suspected.
Blood gases test
A blood gases sample is taken from an artery, usually at the wrist.
It's likely to be painful and the test will always be carried out in
hospital.
A blood gas test is used to check two things:
the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood
the balance of acid and alkali in your blood (the pH balance)
An imbalance in either of these can be caused by:
problems with your respiratory system

 problems with your metabolism (the chemical reactions that

are used by the body to break down food into energy)
Respiratory causes of an imbalance could be:
pneumonia
chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
hyperventilation
Metabolic causes of an imbalance could be:
diabetes
kidney failure
persistent vomiting
Genetic testing and screening
Genetic testing involves extracting a sample of DNA from your
blood, then searching the sample for the suspected genetic
mutation.
Genetic conditions that can be diagnosed this way include:
haemophilia a condition that affects the bloods ability to
clot (thicken)
cystic fibrosis a condition that causes a build-up of sticky
mucus in the lungs
spinal muscular atrophy a condition where there is muscle
weakness and progressive loss of movement
sickle cell anaemia a condition that causes a shortage of
normal red blood cells

 polycystic kidney disease a condition that causes cysts to

develop inside the kidneys
Genetic screening may be offered to people who are thought to
be at risk of developing a genetic condition.
For example, if your brother or sister developed a genetic
condition in later life, such as Huntington's disease, you may want
to find out whether there is a risk that you could also develop the
condition.
Read more detailed information about genetic testing.
Chromosome testing (karotyping)
Chromosome testing involves taking a blood sample and
examining one of the blood cells under a powerful microscope.
This allows the person who is carrying out the test to examine the
chromosomes directly.
Chromosomes are coils of DNA found in every cell. By counting
the chromosomes (each cell should have 23 pairs) and by
checking their shape, it may be possible to detect genetic
abnormalities.
Chromosome testing is often used:
to test children who have physical or developmental
problems that have no apparent cause
for couples who have experienced
repeated miscarriages (usually three or more in a row)
Blood typing
Blood typing is used before:
a blood transfusion
donating blood

This is because it's important that anyone who receives blood is

given blood that matches their blood group.
If you were given blood that did not match your blood group, your
immune system may attack the red blood cells, which could lead
to potentially life-threatening complications.
Blood typing is also used during pregnancy as there is a small risk
that the unborn child may have a different blood group from the
mother. This could lead to the mother's immune system attacking
the babys red blood cells, known as rhesus disease.
If testing reveals that there is a risk of rhesus disease developing,
extra precautions can be taken to safeguard the health of your
baby. For example, a blood transfusion can be given to the baby
when it is still in the womb to increase their number of red blood
cells.
Blood cholesterol test
Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid. It is mostly
created by the liver from the fatty foods in your diet and is vital
for the normal functioning of the body.
Having too many lipids in your blood (hyperlipidemia) can have a
serious effect on your health because it increases your risk of
having aheart attack or stroke.
Blood cholesterol testing is usually recommended if you are at an
increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A
cardiovascular disease, such as a stroke or heart attack, affects
the normal flow of blood through the body.
Things that increase your risk of CVD include:
being over 40 years old
being obese

 being a smoker
being male
having high blood pressure (hypertension)
Blood cholesterol levels are measured with a simple blood test.
Before having the test, you may be asked not to eat for 12 hours
(which usually includes when you're asleep). This will ensure that
all food is completely digested and won't affect the outcome of
the test.
Your GP or practice nurse can carry out the blood test and will
take a blood sample, either using a needle and a syringe or by
pricking your finger.
Read more information about diagnosing high cholesterol.
Liver function test
When the liver is damaged, it releases enzymes into the blood
and levels of proteins that the liver produces begin to drop.
By measuring the levels of these enzymes and proteins, it's
possible to build up a picture of how well the liver is functioning.
This can help to diagnose certain liver conditions, including:
hepatitis
cirrhosis
alcohol-related liver disease
Blood culture
A blood culture involves taking a small sample of blood from a
vein in your arm and from another part of your body.

Both samples are introduced to nutrients designed to encourage

the growth of bacteria (a process known as culturing). If there are
traces of bacteria in your blood, culturing should highlight this.
Two blood samples are needed in case one is accidentally
contaminated by the bacteria that live on your skin.
Amylase test
An amylase test is often used with another blood test, known as a
lipase test, to help diagnose or monitor conditions that affect the
pancreas.
Your blood sample is tested for levels of amylase and lipase. An
increased level of both could lead to a diagnosis of:
acute pancreatitis
chronic pancreatitis
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is made by the prostate gland.
Some of it will leak into your blood, and the amount depends on
your age and the health of your prostate.
A raised PSA level in your blood may show that you have a
problem with your prostate, such as:
a urinary tract infection (UTI)
an enlarged prostate
prostatitis
prostate cancer

Medicines for Iron deficiency

anaemia
Over-the-counter medicine. Medicine with this
icon can be bought without a prescription.
C

CosmoFer
(a brand of Iron Dextran)

Ferinject
(a brand of Ferric Carboxymaltose)
Ferric carboxymaltose

Iron Dextran
Iron Sucrose

Venofer
(a brand of Iron Sucrose)