Iron deficiency anemia
Disease Information
Tests
How does a doctor know that it’s iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia may be suspected based on general findings from a complete medical history and physical examination, such as:
- complaints of tiring easily
- pale skin and lips
- fast heartbeat
Iron deficiency anemia is usually discovered during a medical examination through a complete blood count, which measures the number of red blood cells and their concentration of hemoglobin. Additional tests may include:
- different blood tests
- full bone marrow exam in which samples of the fluid (aspiration) and solid (biopsy) portions of bone marrow are withdrawn with a needle under local anesthesia
