4th June 2025

Medical management

If a patient is found to be anaemic, the underlying cause should be identified and treated (to prevent recurrence). For example in women with IDA secondary to menorrhagia, contraceptive devices and/or tranexamic acid may be used to reduce blood loss.

Patients with IDA will likely require iron replacement to restore iron stores and correct their anaemia.

Treatment options include:

• Increased dietary iron. Haem iron is found in red meat – this is easily absorbed; the absorption

of non-haem iron (in vegetables and grains) is increased with vitamin C.

• Oral iron supplementation
• Intravenous iron infusions
• Blood transfusion (in exceptional circumstances)