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Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia A type of hypochromic microcytic anemia caused by low or absent iron stores and serum iron concentration; there is elevated free erythrocyte porphyrin, low transferrin saturation, elevated transferrin, low serum ferritin, and low hemoglobin concentration. Symptoms may include pallor, angular stomatitis and other oral lesions, gastrointestinal complaints, retinal hemorrhages and exudates, and thinning and brittleness of the nails, occasionally leading to spoon nails.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which a deficiency in the size or number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) or the amount of hemoglobin they contain limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the tissue cells. Most anemias are caused by a lack of nutrients required for normal erythrocyte synthesis, principally iron, vitamin B-12, and folic acid. Others result from a variety of conditions, such as hemorrhage, genetic abnormalities, chronic disease states or drug toxicity.
Iron
A mineral in the body that works with protein to make hemoglobin, essential for the blood.
Serum
The fluid portion of the blood. It is essentially similar in composition to plasma but lacks fibrinogen and other substances that are used in the coagulation (blood clotting) process.
Erythrocyte
An erythrocyte is more commonly known as a red blood cell, which is the most numerous type of blood cell. Erythrocytes contain the red pigment hemoglobin and are responsible for oxygen transport. In humans, the number of erythrocytes in the blood varies between 4.5 and 5.5 million per cubic millimeter. They survive for about four months and are then destroyed in the spleen and liver.
Saturation
The richness of hue. Indicates how much a color has been diluted by grayness.
Ferritin
The major iron storage protein. The blood level of ferritin serves as an indicator of the amount of iron stored in the body.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a substance contained within the red blood cells and is responsible for their color. It has the unique property of combining reversibly with oxygen and is the medium by which oxygen is transported within the body. It takes up oxygen as blood passes through the lungs and releases it as blood passes through the tissues.
Pallor
Pale appearance of the skin.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth.
Oral
Of or involving the mouth or mouth region or the surface on which the mouth is located.
Gastrointestinal
Having to do with the stomach and intestines.
Retinal
Light-absorbing portion of rhodopsin. The absorption of light causes retinal to change from 11-cis to 11-trans configuration
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Iron
A mineral in the body that works with protein to make hemoglobin, essential for the blood.
Iron dextran
Iron dextran is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): iron dextran.
Iron overload disease
See hemochromatosis.
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Interstitial space
The space between the endothelial cells and target cells, such as the liver or the smooth muscle cells that line the vascular bed.
IVF
(in vitro fertilization) A method of assisted reproduction that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop. IVF may be performed in conjunction with medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in order to increase the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes and is often the treatment choice for women who have badly damaged or absent tubes.
In vitro fertilization
IVF. A method of assisted reproduction that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop. IVF may be performed in conjunction with medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in order to increase the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes and is often the treatment choice for women who have badly damaged or absent tubes.
Identical twins
Two offsprings born at the same time who look exactly alike. Identical twins are also called monozygotic twins because they develop from the same egg: a single fertilised egg splits early in development and becomes two separate fetuses.
Infectious disease
Disease caused by microbes that can be passed to or among humans. It occurs when cells or molecules in a person's body stop working properly, causing symptoms of illness. Many things can make someone more susceptible to disease, including altered genes, chemicals, aging, and infections.
Iron deficiency anemia
Insulin-dependent diabetes
A condition in which the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide energy. Persons with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections.
Intravenous
Introducing a fluid into the bloodstream through a vein (usually in the patient's forearm).
Isthmus
A tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A disorder of the intestine that affects motility and causes abdominal pain, bloating and irregular bowel movements (constipation and / or diarrhoea). Used to be known in the past as spastic colon or colitis and irritable colon. It should not be confused with irritable bowel disease but can be seen simultaneously with IBD.
Internal Medicine
A broad-based medical field in which physicians rely on their knowledge of major organs to diagnose and treat patients. Internists treat a variety of afflictions, from colds and heart problems to infectious diseases. Internists often serve as a patient's primary doctor, coordinating all that person's health care
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