Difference between revisions of "Iron Deficiency (Anaemia)"
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<b> Females with iron deficiency anaemia or non-anaemic iron deficiency </b> | <b> Females with iron deficiency anaemia or non-anaemic iron deficiency </b> | ||
| − | Iron deficiency is common in women of menstruating age due to chronic blood loss. Females diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia at workup should be | + | Iron deficiency is common in women of menstruating age due to chronic blood loss. Females diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia at workup should be advised to supplement iron (200mg ferrous sulfate once a day for six weeks - to be obtained from a pharmacy), and may donate once the haemoglobin has risen to normal level. |
| + | |||
| + | Ensure appropriate GP follow up is in place. | ||
| + | |||
| − | |||
<b> Males with non-anaemic iron deficiency </b> | <b> Males with non-anaemic iron deficiency </b> | ||
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Male donors where diet or regular blood donation is the cause of low ferritin with or without low MCV, but with normal HB may donate. For BM consider iron replacement. | Male donors where diet or regular blood donation is the cause of low ferritin with or without low MCV, but with normal HB may donate. For BM consider iron replacement. | ||
| − | In males | + | In males who are omnivores and not blood donors, conduct a thorough medical review. Specifically, ask them: |
| + | |||
• Have you previously had low iron levels or anaemia? | • Have you previously had low iron levels or anaemia? | ||
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• How many times a week (or month) do you eat red meat? | • How many times a week (or month) do you eat red meat? | ||
| − | • Have you had any of these symptoms: difficulty swallowing food or liquid, heartburn or reflux symptoms, abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, change in appetite, unexplained tiredness, diarrhoea, bloating, unintentional weight loss, dark stool, or blood in the stool? | + | • Have you had any of these symptoms: difficulty swallowing food or liquid, heartburn or reflux symptoms, abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, change in appetite, unexplained tiredness, diarrhoea, bloating, unintentional weight loss, dark stool, or blood in the stool)? |
• Are there bowel problems or cancers in your family? | • Are there bowel problems or cancers in your family? | ||
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• Have you noticed any excessive bruising? | • Have you noticed any excessive bruising? | ||
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| − | If the donor reports red flag symptoms of a GI cancer (change in appetite, unintentional weight loss, unexplained fatigue, blood in the stool or dark stool) or a family history of this, the donation process should be | + | If the donor answers "yes" to any of the above questions, this should be followed up appropriately (e.g. dietary advice if insufficient red meat intake, coagulation screen/FBC if reports of bruising, coagulation screen/FBC then post-donation GP review for nosebleeds). |
| + | |||
| + | If the donor reports red flag symptoms of a GI cancer (dysphagia, change in appetite, change in bowel habit, unintentional weight loss, unexplained fatigue, blood in the stool or dark stool) or a family history of this, the donation process should be deferred with an urgent 2ww referral via their GP. | ||
| − | If the donor reports visible haematuria, the donation process should be | + | If the donor reports visible haematuria, the donation process should be deferred with a 2ww referral to renal/urology (depending on donor age) via their GP. |
If there are no red flag symptoms and no family history of bowel problems, conduct a FIT test (which can be posted to the donor's address). | If there are no red flag symptoms and no family history of bowel problems, conduct a FIT test (which can be posted to the donor's address). | ||
| − | If this negative, the donor can be cleared to donate. Iron supplementation should be advised | + | If this is negative, the donor can be cleared to donate. Iron supplementation should be advised (200mg ferrous sulfate once a day for six weeks). A letter should also be written to their GP to inform them of the finding and advise consideration of a coeliac screen. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <b> Males with iron deficiency anaemia </b> | ||
| − | |||
Male donors who are anaemic with no clear cause should be deferred for investigation. | Male donors who are anaemic with no clear cause should be deferred for investigation. | ||
Revision as of 10:12, 16 May 2024
Contents
Acceptability at Recruitment
QUALIFIED
Acceptability at CT / Work-Up
QUALIFIED
Individual at Risk
Donor / Recipient
Explanation of Condition
Guidance
Females with iron deficiency anaemia or non-anaemic iron deficiency
Iron deficiency is common in women of menstruating age due to chronic blood loss. Females diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia at workup should be advised to supplement iron (200mg ferrous sulfate once a day for six weeks - to be obtained from a pharmacy), and may donate once the haemoglobin has risen to normal level.
Ensure appropriate GP follow up is in place.
Males with non-anaemic iron deficiency
Male donors where diet or regular blood donation is the cause of low ferritin with or without low MCV, but with normal HB may donate. For BM consider iron replacement.
In males who are omnivores and not blood donors, conduct a thorough medical review. Specifically, ask them:
• Have you previously had low iron levels or anaemia?
• How many times a week (or month) do you eat red meat?
• Have you had any of these symptoms: difficulty swallowing food or liquid, heartburn or reflux symptoms, abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, change in appetite, unexplained tiredness, diarrhoea, bloating, unintentional weight loss, dark stool, or blood in the stool)?
• Are there bowel problems or cancers in your family?
• Is there any history of low iron or anaemia in your family?
• Have you had any previous operations (e.g. gastric bypasses)?
• Have you noticed any bleeding (e.g. nosebleeds, blood in the urine, blood in the stool etc)?
• Have you noticed any excessive bruising?
If the donor answers "yes" to any of the above questions, this should be followed up appropriately (e.g. dietary advice if insufficient red meat intake, coagulation screen/FBC if reports of bruising, coagulation screen/FBC then post-donation GP review for nosebleeds).
If the donor reports red flag symptoms of a GI cancer (dysphagia, change in appetite, change in bowel habit, unintentional weight loss, unexplained fatigue, blood in the stool or dark stool) or a family history of this, the donation process should be deferred with an urgent 2ww referral via their GP.
If the donor reports visible haematuria, the donation process should be deferred with a 2ww referral to renal/urology (depending on donor age) via their GP.
If there are no red flag symptoms and no family history of bowel problems, conduct a FIT test (which can be posted to the donor's address).
If this is negative, the donor can be cleared to donate. Iron supplementation should be advised (200mg ferrous sulfate once a day for six weeks). A letter should also be written to their GP to inform them of the finding and advise consideration of a coeliac screen.
Males with iron deficiency anaemia
Male donors who are anaemic with no clear cause should be deferred for investigation.
See also Anaemia
Pseudonyms or Related Conditions
Version
Version 1, Edition 2
Date of Last Update
1 June 2016
