Causes Of “Iron Deficiency Anemia”

According to SAEDNEWS, Iron Is A Vital Metal Not Only For Hemoglobin Synthesis In Blood, But Also In The Structure Of Important Metabolic Enzymes, Cell Growth And Proliferation, Immune System Function, And As An Electron Transfer Agent In Chemical Reactions Of The Body. The Disease Known As “Iron Deficiency Anemia” And “Anemia Of Chronic Diseases” Are Among The Most Common Types Of Anemia.

The Most Important Factors Causing Iron Deficiency Anemia Include “Mutations In Genes Regulating Body Iron Levels,” “Gastrointestinal Bleeding,” “Menstrual Bleeding In Women,” And “Ulcers, Polyps, And Cancer, Especially In Men.” Among These, Treatment-Resistant Iron Deficiency Anemia (IRIDA) Can Be Either Acquired Or Genetic.

Regarding This Disease, Researchers From Shiraz University Of Medical Sciences Conducted A Study That Examined The Molecular Processes Of Iron Regulation In The Body And Treatment-Resistant Iron Deficiency Anemia.

According To These Researchers, A Mutation In The TMPRSS6 Gene, Which Causes A Disorder In The Synthesis Of The Matriptase-2 (MT2) Protein, Is One Of The Most Important Genetic Causes Of Iron Deficiency.

Reduced Expression Of The Hepcidin Gene Is Associated With Increased Iron Absorption From The Gastrointestinal Tract. Hepcidin, By Binding To Ferroportin (Fpn-1) Channels, Causes Their Degradation And Prevents Iron From Entering The Blood Circulation Through Intestinal Cells. The Hormone Erythroferrone (ERFE) Can Quickly Suppress Hepcidin Gene Expression To Allow Iron Absorption And Release. Disorders In Erythroferrone Expression Are Associated With Delayed Recovery From Bleeding, And Its Overexpression Leads To Iron Overload. It Is Believed That One Cause Of Iron Overload In Thalassemia Syndromes Is Increased Expression Of Erythroferrone.

Also, According To The Findings Of This Study, Various MicroRNAs Play A Role In The Expression Of Iron-Regulating Proteins.

MT2 Mutation Also Leads To Increased Hepcidin Expression And Destruction Of Ferroportin Channels, In Which Case Oral Iron Absorption Does Not Occur. This Disease Appears In Early Childhood With Microcytic And Hypochromic Anemia, And Since Iron Deficiency Causes Nervous System Disorders Such As Reduced Attention And Concentration, It Should Be Diagnosed As Soon As Possible.

In Patients With Kidney Failure Who Receive Erythropoietin (EPO) For Anemia Treatment, The Treatment Response Can Be Predicted Based On Transferrin Saturation, Free Plasma Transferrin Receptor (TFR), And Baseline Ferritin Levels.

In A Study, Results From Examining The Main Causes Of Iron Deficiency Anemia In 300 Patients Showed That 26% Had Autoimmune Gastritis, 19% Were Infected With Helicobacter Pylori, 32% Had Heavy Menstrual Bleeding, 10% Had Gastric And Intestinal Ulcers, And 6% Had Celiac Disease.

The Increasing Use Of Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugs For Treating Gastric And Duodenal Ulcers And Gastrectomy Is Also A Factor In Treatment-Resistant Iron Deficiency Anemia. Gastric Acid Secretion Is Necessary For Converting Ferric Iron Into Ferrous Iron For Better Absorption.

Researchers Also Stated That Tannic Acid Compounds (Tannate), Phosphates, And Phytates Prevent Oral Iron Absorption. Tea Is A Rich Source Of Tannic Acid, And Fresh Dough Is A Source Of Phytates.

The Results Of This Study, Published In The “Laboratory And Diagnosis” Quarterly Journal Of The Iranian Association Of Clinical Laboratory Doctors, May Help Clarify The Reasons For Poor Iron Absorption And The Occurrence Of Iron Deficiency Anemia.