Iron deficiency and iron therapy
Iron deficiency is common when your irons levels are low and it may make you feel tired and not be able to do normal daily activities.
Anaemia management
Anaemia is the most common disorder of the blood. It can originate from a range of causes and may be classified by an examination of red blood cells or haemoglobin, identification of underlying causes, and assessment of clinical features.
The three main mechanisms include:
- excessive blood loss - acutely such as a haemorrhage or chronically through low-volume loss
- excessive red blood cell destruction - haemolysis
- deficient red blood cell production - ineffective haematopoiesis.
See below for a list of resources for clinicians on the management of anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia in patients.
Anaemia management
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) management in general practice - Guidance and clinical tips to help identify, manage and refer CKD.
- Perinatal Anaemia and Iron Infusion (PDF 1675KB) - South Australian Perinatal Practice Guideline to inform diagnosis and management of perinatal anaemia.
- Joint replacement consumer fact sheet (PDF 206KB) - The importance of a check-up with your GP and blood tests for anaemia and low vitamin levels in the months leading up to surgery. This fact sheet is for people who may be having hip or knee replacement surgery.
- Joint replacement GP letter (PDF 74KB) - Pre-arthroplasty check-up to ensure patients are optimised well in advance of elective surgery and any required specialist referrals are initiated.
- Consumer resources for patients with anaemia - a collection of resources for patients with anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia
- BloodSafe eLearning Australia Iron Deficiency Anaemia app - The Iron Deficiency Anaemia algorithm is an educational tool designed to increase understanding of the diagnosis, investigation and management of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA). The IDA Algorithm is now available as an app for iPhone, iPad and Android users.
- BloodSafe eLearning Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) module - The IDA course aims to update and enhance your knowledge about the diagnosis, investigation and management of IDA. It is designed for medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other allied healthcare professionals such as dieticians.
- Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anaemia - An Australian clinical update from the Medical Journal of Australia, 2010.
- Guidelines for the Management of Iron Deficiency Anaemia - Comprehensive guidelines from the British Society of Gastroenterology with an excellent flow chart outlining the investigation of iron deficiency in different patient groups.
- Perinatal Anaemia and Iron Infusion (PDF 1675KB) - South Australian Perinatal Practice Guideline to inform diagnosis and management of perinatal anaemia.
- Oral iron dosing chart for clinicians (PDF 512KB) - Colour illustrations and dosing table of oral preparations available in Australia that are suitable for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.
- Prescribing checklist for IV iron (PDF 99KB) - This checklist provides guidance on the indications, contradictions and precautions for the use of IV iron. For the use of IV iron in the perinatal period refer to the Perinatal Guidelines (PDF 1675KB) above.
- IV iron preparations chart (PDF 396KB) - Colour illustrations and preparation table of IV iron preparations available in Australia that are suitable for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.
- Consumer resources - a collection of resources for patients with iron deficiency anaemia