Iron-deficiency Anaemia

Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) happens when the body lacks enough iron to make healthy red blood cells. Common symptoms include tiredness, breathlessness, pale skin, and dizziness. In adults, especially over 50 or with red-flag symptoms, IDA may be due to blood loss from the digestive tract, so timely investigation is important.

At The New Foscote Hospital, we offer consultant-led assessment, same-day blood tests, and, when indicated, onsite gastroscopy and colonoscopy to find and treat the cause.

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Symptoms

• Persistent tiredness and low energy
• Shortness of breath, palpitations, or reduced exercise tolerance
• Pale skin or inner eyelids; brittle nails, hair thinning
• Dizziness, headaches, poor concentration
• Restless legs or unusual cravings (pica) in some patients

Seek urgent medical help (999/A&E) if you have black, tarry stools, vomiting blood, chest pain, fainting, or signs of shock.

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Common Causes

• Gastrointestinal blood loss: peptic ulcers, gastritis/oesophagitis, colorectal polyps or cancer, angiodysplasia, IBD, haemorrhoids (often minor but can contribute)
• Malabsorption: coeliac disease, gastric surgery, atrophic gastritis
• Medicines: NSAIDs or aspirin increasing bleed risk
• Physiological/other: menstruation, pregnancy, low iron intake, frequent blood donation

Your consultant will tailor investigations to age, symptoms and risk factors.

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Diagnosis At New Foscote Hospital

• Full blood count, ferritin, and iron studies
• Coeliac screen and relevant blood tests (B12/folate, thyroid) when indicated
• Onsite endoscopy to identify a gastrointestinal source:
  • Gastroscopy (OGD) for upper-GI causes (ulcers, gastritis, cancer, coeliac biopsies)
  • Colonoscopy for lower-GI causes (polyps, cancer, colitis, angiodysplasia)
• Stool tests (selected pathways) to exclude infection or assess bleeding

Endoscopy – Gastroscopy
Endoscopy – Colonoscopy
Meet Our Consultants

A referral from a Consultant or Private GP may be required; this can be arranged through our in-house teams.

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Treatment

• Iron replacement: oral iron as first line (dose and regimen tailored to tolerance); IV iron if oral iron is not tolerated or rapid repletion is needed.
• Treat the cause:
  • Peptic ulcer disease – PPI therapy, H. pylori eradication, endoscopic treatment if needed.
  • Polyps – polypectomy during colonoscopy with histology and surveillance plan.
  • IBD – anti-inflammatory therapy guided by a specialist.
  • Coeliac disease – gluten-free diet after confirmed diagnosis.
  • Medication review – minimise or protect NSAIDs/anticoagulants where safe (with your prescriber).

Your consultant will set a follow-up plan to confirm iron stores have recovered and to monitor for recurrence.

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Recovery And Prevention

• Take iron exactly as prescribed; vitamin C with doses may aid absorption.
• Avoid taking iron alongside tea/coffee, calcium, or certain meds that reduce absorption.
• Maintain a balanced diet including iron-rich foods (meat, legumes, leafy greens) if appropriate.
• Attend follow-up blood tests to confirm ferritin and haemoglobin recovery.

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When To Seek Specialist Help

Book an assessment if you have:

• Unexplained tiredness with confirmed low iron/ferritin
• Rectal bleeding, black stools, or persistent indigestion
• Change in bowel habit, weight loss, or abdominal pain
• IDA that doesn’t improve with initial iron therapy

Early investigation provides clarity and prevents complications.