Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies worldwide and is particularly common among young women. The iron-deficiency is a continuous process and is classified into two stages: iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). IDWA is the preliminary stage to IDA, and its global prevalence is estimated to be approximately double that of IDA. Despite this, IDWA can go unrecognized for an extended period of time, as the clinical picture is unclear, and the hemoglobin (Hb) level of those affected is average. This study compared patients with iron deficiency retrospectively.

Methods: 14 iron deficiency patients presented at our outpatient department of general medicine were divided into the IDWA group (Hb12 ≥ g/dL, ferritin <12 ng/mL) or IDA group (Hb<12 g/dL, ferritin <12 ng/mL). Patients’ ages, physical signs, laboratory data, and symptoms were compared between the two groups.