Page 72 - Life Insurance underwriting Ebook IC 22

Low iron levels usually are due to blood loss, poor diet, or an inability to absorb enough

iron from foods.

Causes of IDA

Iron deficiency anemia can be caused due to
I) Blood loss

In women, low iron levels may be due to blood loss from long or heavy menstrual

periods or bleeding fibroids in the uterus. Blood loss that occurs during childbirth is
another cause for low iron levels in women.

Internal bleeding (bleeding inside the body) also may lead to iron-deficiency anemia.

This type of blood loss isn't always obvious, and it may occur slowly. Some causes of
internal bleeding are:

 A bleeding ulcer, colon polyp, or colon cancer

 Regular use of aspirin or other pain medicines, such as no steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen and naproxen)

 Urinary tract bleeding

 Blood loss from severe injuries, surgery, or frequent blood drawings also can
cause iron-deficiency anemia.

ii) Inability to absorb enough iron

Even if there's enough iron in the diet, the body may not be able to absorb it. This may

be due to intestinal surgery or diseases of the intestine, such as Crohn's disease or

celiac disease.

Prescription medicines that reduce acid in the stomach also can interfere with iron

absorption.

iii) Poor diet

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