Information on the Terminology & IDA

Anemia

Defined by WHO as a hemoglobin concentration 2 standard deviations below the mean hemoglobin concentration for a normal population of the same gender and age range.2.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA)

Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia – a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron1.

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Protein in the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is an important part of this protein required for the transport of oxygen.

Ferritin

The main way the human body stores iron.

CBC

This is a blood test that can detect many different disorders, such as anemia, infection, leukemia, etc. A CBC will measure:

  • Red blood cells, which carry the hemoglobin that transports oxygen in the body
  • White blood cells, which fight infections
  • Hemoglobin
  • Hematocrit, which is the amount of red blood cells compared to the amount of fluid in your blood
  • Platelets, which help clot blood such as during injuries

Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron

The average daily intake of iron that is high enough to meet the nutritional requirements for nearly all individuals of a given age and gender2.

Thalassemia

An inherited congenital blood disorder that results in the decreased production of hemoglobin and red blood cells2.

Sickle-cell Anemia

A congenital inherited blood disorder characterized by a different type of hemoglobin that causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped2.

Aplastic Anemia

A condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells1.

Megaloblastic Anemia

Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells. In addition to the cells being large, the inner contents of each cell are not completely developed. This malformation causes the bone marrow to produce fewer cells, and sometimes the cells die earlier than the 120-day life expectancy. Instead of being round or disk-shaped, the red blood cells can be oval3.