D50.0: Iron deficiency anaemia secondary to blood loss (chronic)

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood. Haemoglobin needs various nutrients to be formed. These nutrients include, for example, various proteins, vitamins and iron.

You do not have enough iron in your body. You have lost blood over a long period of time. This can happen as a result of severe menstrual bleeding or bleeding from the stomach or bowel. Bleeding also causes you to lose iron.

This iron deficiency means your body cannot produce enough haemoglobin. If you don’t have enough haemoglobin, then the body can no longer transport as much oxygen. This can mean you’re exhausted more quickly or you have difficulty breathing.

Iron deficiency can cause you to have other symptoms. Iron deficiency can lead to cracks in the skin at the corner of the mouth or the tongue can burn. This happens because the lining in the mouth and throat area recedes. This can also lead to swallowing problems. Your hair and nails often also become brittle when you don’t have enough iron in the body.