Anemia Comprehensive Testing, Therapeutic Diet, and Supplements
Approximately 25% of the global population suffer from anemia. Anemia specialist Dubai consultations are essential because nearly 50% of all anemia cases are caused by iron deficiency, making it the most prevalent cause worldwide. Untreated and severe iron deficiency anemia can result in chronic fatigue, restless legs syndrome, cardiac issues, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays, even though mild cases may not present with symptoms. Early diagnosis and care are therefore critical, especially for high-risk groups.
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) occurs when the body lacks sufficient iron to produce adequate hemoglobin. Anemia treatment in Dubai focuses on restoring hemoglobin levels because hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Iron is essential for hemoglobin synthesis, and low iron levels reduce the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen delivery and multiple health concerns.
IDA develops in three stages:
- Iron Depletion: The body’s circulating iron levels are low during this early stage, but the blood’s hemoglobin levels are still normal. Ferritin is a protein that accumulates iron, and laboratory testing may reveal somewhat lower quantities of it. Nonetheless, the patient often does not have any noticeable symptoms, and the body is still able to manufacture enough hemoglobin and red blood cells.
- Iron-Deficient Erythropoiesis: Red blood cell synthesis is hampered in the second stage, as the body’s iron reserves continue to fall. Iron deficiency treatment Dubai addresses impaired red blood cell production during this stage, where red blood cells become smaller and paler due to insufficient hemoglobin synthesis. Laboratory tests may show reduced hemoglobin and early anemia signs.
- Iron Deficiency Anemia: In the last stage, anemia arises when the iron deficiency gets worse. Anemia clinic in Dubai evaluations confirm this stage through laboratory findings that show low hemoglobin, reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, and worsening clinical symptoms.
Iron Deficiency Anemia Signs & Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of IDA grow as the anemia’s severity increases. IDA symptoms frequently include:
- Weariness
- Weakness
- Breathlessness, an accelerated heartbeat, or chest discomfort (particularly after physical exertion)
- A headache
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Cold feet and hands
- Brittle nails
- Indigestion and strange desires for non-food items (pica)
A physical examination will most likely reveal pale skin, especially on the cheeks, conjunctiva (within the eyelids), mucous membranes, and nail beds. Nails might feature ridges, fissures, or a spoon-like form. Another frequent condition is resting tachycardia, or a fast heartbeat.
What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Iron deficiency and IDA can be caused by low dietary iron intake, poor absorption, or blood loss. IDA is more common in women, children, infants, vegetarians, and regular blood donors.
One of the main causes of iron deficiency anemia is inadequate intake of foods high in iron. Red meat, poultry, shellfish, legumes, fortified cereals, and leafy green vegetables are the main dietary sources of iron. Poor dietary choices, restrictive diets (such as vegetarian or vegan diets without enough iron supplementation), limited availability to nutrient-dense foods, or elevated systemic iron requirements (such as during pregnancy) can all lead to inadequate intake of these iron-rich foods.
The small intestine is where iron absorption mostly takes place. Iron deficiency anemia can result from many disorders that affect the body’s capacity to absorb iron efficiently. Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, H. pylori infection, hypochlorhydria, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and gastric bypass surgery are a few disorders that might hinder the absorption of iron.
Anemia can result from either acute or chronic blood loss that depletes the body’s iron reserves. Over time, women who experience excessive or extended menstrual bleeding may lose iron. Iron deficiency anemia can also result from bleeding in the stomach caused by ulcers, tumors, hemorrhoids, or other diseases. Trauma, surgery, or some illnesses that result in internal bleeding are additional possible causes of blood loss.
Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Root Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia
A complete blood count and a full iron panel should be obtained for each patient with suspected IDA to confirm the diagnosis. Hematology treatment Dubai specialists like Dr. Barbara use these markers to distinguish IDA from other forms of anemia.
The characteristic findings of iron deficiency anemia are shown in the table below.
| Biomarker | Test Results |
| Red Blood Cells (RBC) | Low |
| Hemoglobin (Hgb) | Low |
| Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) | Low |
| Serum Iron | Low |
| Ferritin | Low |
| Transferrin | High |
| Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) | High |
| Transferrin Saturation (% Sat) | Low |
Understanding the underlying etiology of IDA is critical to guiding the management plan. Additional tests should be requested for individuals whose medical history is not enough to identify the cause of IDA (such as pregnancy, a limited diet, or heavy menstruation). These tests may include the following:
Celiac Antibodies
The first test that is typically advised for patients to screen for celiac disease is serum celiac serology, which quantifies antibodies linked to the condition. This panel may also contain genetic markers that raise the risk of illness, such as HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. To guarantee the accuracy of the test, the patient should consume gluten-containing meals every day for at least four weeks before the blood draw.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
It is common practice to conduct preliminary stool tests, such as calprotectin and fecal occult blood, to check for bleeding and inflammation in the gastrointestinal system. If one of these tests is positive, a referral to a gastroenterologist is necessary for further assessment.
A thorough stool analysis is frequently recommended by functional medicine physicians. It includes indicators that evaluate general gut health and screen for intestinal infections (such as parasites and H. pylori) and maldigestion, which can lead to iron deficiency, in addition to the two biomarkers mentioned above.
SIBO Breath Test
The patient does a SIBO breath test at home, which analyzes several gases breathed via the lungs and, if high, indicates SIBO.
Hormone Testing
Heavy menstrual bleeding may be caused by abnormalities in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol, which can be found with the aid of a complete hormone panel.
Another common reason for excessive or irregular menstrual bleeding is thyroid illness. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism can be assessed with a thyroid panel that includes at least TSH, free T3, and free T4.
Imaging
In certain cases, your doctor could recommend gastrointestinal and/or uterine imaging as part of the IDA workup. The top and lower parts of the digestive tract are visible during endoscopy and colonoscopy. They can determine the cause of intestinal bleeding and are necessary for the conclusive diagnosis of inflammatory bowel and celiac illnesses. The first-line imaging option for checking for uterine fibroids and other conditions that may be causing severe bleeding is transvaginal ultrasonography.
Conventional Management for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron supplements are used in the conventional management of iron deficiency anemia to raise iron levels and address the underlying cause of the condition. To treat iron deficiency anemia, adults should take 120 mg of elemental iron daily, while children should take 3 mg/kg (up to 60 mg) each day. To allow iron reserves to rebuild, oral medication should be continued for three months after the anemia is resolved.
Functional Medicine Management Protocol for Iron Deficiency Anemia
The objectives of a functional management protocol for iron deficiency anemia are the same as those of the traditional protocols; however, they frequently include a greater range of integrative and complementary modalities to better manage and support the condition.
Therapeutic Diet and Nutrition Considerations for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of a nutrient-dense diet that contains a variety of whole foods high in iron and other key elements that improve iron absorption and red blood cell function.
Iron-Rich Foods
Restoring iron storage requires eating a diet high in iron. The two types of iron contained in food, heme iron and non-heme iron, have different structures and rates of bodily absorption. Animal-based foods, especially red meat, poultry, and shellfish, are the main source of heme iron. Although it may be found in both plant-based and animal-based diets, non-heme iron is mostly found in plant sources such as dried fruits, legumes, fortified cereals, spinach, and kale. Heme iron makes up a sizable amount of the total iron taken from the food and is more readily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron.
Vitamin C
Iron absorption can be improved by combining meals high in iron with sources of vitamin C. Iron absorption can be maximized by including foods high in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and strawberries, in meals and snacks.
Iron Inhibitors
Iron absorption may be inhibited by certain chemicals. It is recommended that people with iron deficiency anemia reduce their intake of iron inhibitors, such as tea, coffee, meals high in calcium, and foods high in phytates, such as whole grains and legumes. These should be eaten apart from meals high in iron since they may impede the absorption of iron.
Supplements Protocol for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron supplements come in a variety of forms. Antacids, dairy products, and meals high in calcium should ideally not be consumed within two hours of taking iron supplements. Iron supplements should ideally be taken on an empty stomach, as taking them with meals might reduce absorption by about 40%. However, taking iron supplements with a meal helps lessen the negative gastrointestinal side effects that are frequently experienced with typical supplementary forms of iron.
Iron Bisglycinate
Ferrous sulfate, fumarate, and gluconate are the most widely used and reasonably priced iron supplements. Constipation is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal adverse effects of these types. Iron bisglycinate is therefore frequently suggested by practitioners of functional medicine as a better-tolerated and well-absorbed alternative.
As was previously mentioned, persons with IDA should take 120 mg of elemental iron orally each day in split doses. Newer research, however, indicates that iron absorption and tolerance may be enhanced by smaller single-daily and every-other-day dosages.
Dosage: 60 mg every other day, ideally in between meals
Duration: continue for three months following the correction of IDA.
Vitamin C
Iron absorption is enhanced by vitamin C when both nutrients are taken together in a dose-dependent manner. Research has shown that increasing the dosage of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) from 25 mg to 1,000 mg increases iron absorption rates from 0.8% to 7.1%.
Dosage: 100–1,000 mg given with oral iron every other day
Duration: continue for three months following the correction of IDA.
Betaine HCl
Reduced absorption of dietary iron and iron tablets is linked to medications and conditions that cause decreased stomach acid secretions. Supplementary hydrochloric acid replaces stomach acid, promoting optimal digestion of iron-rich meals and increasing dietary and supplementary iron.
Dosage: 500–1,000 mg per meal
Duration: Continued until the underlying cause of insufficient digestive enzymes and maldigestion is treated
When to Retest Labs
One month after starting oral iron therapy, patients should have their CBC and iron panel checked again to see how they are responding to treatment. A satisfactory response to therapy is demonstrated by a 1 g/dL rise in hemoglobin one month following treatment. For at least three to six months, oral iron treatment is frequently necessary to restore ferritin levels and normalize iron status.
Summary
Iron deficiency anemia is a common disease with serious consequences for general health and well-being. The management of iron deficiency and its underlying cause or causes is covered in this blog along with several strategies for treating iron deficiency anemia. Supplemental iron should be addressed alongside a therapeutic diet that includes eating foods high in iron, avoiding iron inhibitors, and improving iron absorption with vitamin C.
Booking an appointment with Dr. Barbara in Dubai is a simple step toward better blood health and personalized anemia care. Early consultation allows accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and ongoing monitoring to support long-term well-being under expert medical guidance.