Nutritional-deficiency Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

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What is nutritional-deficiency anemia?

Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D. — Written by Yvette Brazier — Updated on December 6, 2019

Iron-deficiency anemia
Vitamin-deficiency anemia
Diagnosis
Treatment
Summary

Key takeaways

Nutritional-deficiency anemia arises from insufficient absorption of key nutrients like iron, folate, or vitamin B-12, impacting red blood cell production and function. This can result from a lack of nutrition in the diet, underlying health issues, or certain medical treatments.
Symptoms of nutritional-deficiency anemia can include fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Diagnosis involves a review of symptoms, dietary habits, and blood tests to identify the specific nutrient deficiency.
Treatment typically involves dietary adjustments to include mineral-rich and fortified foods, along with supplements to restore nutrient levels. In severe cases, medical interventions like blood transfusions may be necessary.

Nutritional deficiencies can lead to a low red blood cell count, low levels of hemoglobin in these cells, or red blood cells that do not function as they should. Anemia is a term for these issues.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type, but low levels of folate or vitamin B-12 can also cause the condition, and a low vitamin C intake can contribute to it.

Anemia affects over 30% of the world’s population, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is often more common in pregnant women and children. Anemia can cause severe medical issues and affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing.

In this article, find out more about nutritional-deficiency anemia and how to treat it.

Iron-deficiency anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia can cause red blood cells to appear small, oval-shaped, and pale under a microscope. The paleness stems from low hemoglobin content.

Symptoms

a woman experiencing tinnitus due to nutritional deficiency anemia — Tinnitus is a common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia.

A person with iron-deficiency anemia may have:

pale skin
tinnitus
changes in the sense of taste
itchiness
a desire to eat ice
sores or ulcers at the corners of their mouth
a sore tongue
hair loss
spoon-shaped fingernails and toenails
difficulty swallowing
depression
missed menstruation in females during their reproductive years

Learn more about the symptoms of iron deficiency here.

Causes

Nutritional and dietary causes of iron-deficiency anemia include:

not consuming enough iron
not consuming enough vitamin C
having a condition that prevents the body from sufficiently absorbing nutrients

During pregnancy, the mother and fetus both need iron. If a pregnant woman does not consume enough of the nutrient, anemia can result.

Heme iron is the easiest form for the body to absorb, and it only occurs in meat. Plant-based foods contain nonheme iron, which the body does not absorb as easily. People on plant-based diets may need iron supplements to meet their needs.

Which other supplements might a vegan need? Find out here.

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, and consuming too little vitamin C may increase the risk of iron-deficiency anemia.

This condition can affect a person’s overall health and ability to function from day to day. However, taking supplements can usually restore a person’s iron levels.

Learn more about iron here.

Vitamin-deficiency anemia

Vitamin-deficiency anemia can develop when a person’s diet contains too little vitamin B-12 or folate, which is vitamin B-9. The condition can also develop if the body is unable to absorb these vitamins effectively. It is most common in older people.

Another name for vitamin-deficiency anemia is megaloblastic anemia. It can cause red blood cells to become too large or the body to produce too few of them.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

a feeling of tingling, or pins and needles
a sore, red tongue
mouth ulcers
muscle weakness
fatigue and a lack of energy
visual disturbances
depression
confusion and other problems with concentration, thinking, and memory

Long-term complications include:

infertility, which is usually reversible
complications during pregnancy
congenital disorders
nervous system disorders, which may be permanent
heart problems, including heart failure

Find out more about different kinds of anemia.

Some types of anemia do not relate to nutrition.

They include:

Aplastic anemia: This occurs when the bone marrow does not produce enough red blood cells, and treatment may involve transfusions. Certain medicines, toxins, and infectious diseases can cause aplastic anemia.

Anemia during pregnancy: During the first 6 months of pregnancy, the amount of plasma — the fluid of the blood — increases faster than the number of red blood cells. This dilution can lead to anemia.

Sickle-cell anemia: This occurs when a genetic factor causes the body to produce unusually shaped blood cells that cannot pass easily through the blood vessels.

Hemolytic anemia: This involves an infection, heart problem, or autoimmune disease destroying red blood cells.

Other factors that can lead to anemia include kidney disease, cancer, and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Anyone who notices symptoms of anemia should consult a doctor, who will consider the symptoms and ask about:

the person’s diet
existing conditions
ongoing medications
personal and family medical histories

A blood test can often identify the cause of the symptoms.

Some underlying health conditions can cause anemia, and the doctor may order further tests to rule these out or confirm a diagnosis. Treating the condition may resolve the anemia.

Treatment

To treat nutritional-deficiency anemia, a doctor will recommend having a varied diet that contains plenty of mineral-rich and fortified foods. They may also recommend supplements, if appropriate.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020, people should consume the following amounts of iron, folate, and B-12 each day. Iron is given in milligrams (mg), while the vitamins are in micrograms (mcg).

Iron (mg)	B-12 (mcg)	Folate (mcg DFE)
Males 19–50 years	8	2.4	400
Females 19-50 years	18	2.4	400

“DFE” refers to dietary folate equivalent. Scientists use this term because the body absorbs folic acid and folate differently.

Food sources of iron, B-12, and folate

Below are some dietary sources of iron:

Source	Amount of iron (mg)
Dark chocolate, 3 ounces	7
Pan-fried beef liver, 3 ounces	5
Braised beef, 3 ounces	2
1 hard-boiled egg	1
Tofu, firm, 1/2 cup	3
White beans, canned, 1 cup	8
Spinach, boiled and drained, 1/2 cup	3

Dietary sources of B-12 include:

Food item	Amount of B-12 (mcg)
Beef liver, cooked, 3 ounces	70.7
Salmon, cooked, 3 ounces	4.8
Broiled beef, 3 ounces	1.4
1 hard-boiled egg	0.6
1 hard-boiled egg	0.9
Low-fat milk, 1 cup	1.2

Dietary sources of folate include:

Food item	Amount of folate (mcg DFE)
Beef liver, 3 ounces	215
Boiled spinach, ½ cup	131
White rice, ½ cup	54
Avocado, ½ cup	59
1 medium banana	24
Milk, 1% fat, 1 cup	12

Fortified cereals can be good sources of nutrients, though amounts vary by product.

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. Healthful sources include:

red peppers
oranges
strawberries
broccoli

In some people, anemia requires medical treatment, such as a blood transfusion. However, dietary changes and supplementation resolve the issue in most people.

Medical treatment

If dietary changes do not improve a person’s anemia, the doctor may recommend supplements.

Most people take these by mouth, but a person with a severe deficiency may need to receive the nutrients intravenously. In very severe cases, a blood transfusion is necessary.

Iron: Take these supplements with orange juice, as the vitamin C in the juice will help the body absorb the mineral. Iron supplements can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, and black feces.

Vitamin B-12: A person with a deficiency may need a monthly injection, though taking supplements orally may be sufficient.

Folate: A person may need to take folic acid supplements for 4 months, and they are available in pill form.

Doctors often prescribe iron and folic acid supplements during pregnancy. A healthcare professional can recommend specific dosages.

When a health issue is preventing the body from absorbing nutrients, a person may need to take supplements for life.

Anyone considering taking a supplement should speak to a doctor first. Some supplements can interact with medications or have other adverse effects.

Summary

Nutritional-deficiency anemia is a common problem. It can occur when the body is not absorbing enough iron, folate, or vitamin B-12 from the diet.

The issue may be that the diet is insufficient or that an underlying medical condition or treatment is interfering with the body’s ability to absorb these nutrients.

Having a healthful and varied diet can usually provide enough nutrients to prevent anemia.

Shop for supplements
Supplements are available for purchase online.
Iron
Vitamin B-12
Folate

Q:

Should all vegans and vegetarians take iron supplements?

A:

It is not necessary for all vegans and vegetarians to take iron tablets if their iron levels are normal.

It is possible to get enough iron from foods in both of those diets, and the tables above have some examples. If a person believes that they may have low iron levels and anemia, a doctor can help determine whether iron supplements or other interventions are necessary.

Kevin Martinez, M.D. Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Blood / Hematology
Nutrition / Diet

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Anemia. (n.d.).https://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/
Anemia, megaloblastic. (2008).https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/anemia-megaloblastic/
Folate: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2019).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
Fragasso, A. (2012). Vitamin B12 deficiency in alcoholics. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-62703-047-2_10
Iron-deficiency anemia. (n.d.).https://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Iron-Deficiency.aspx
Iron deficiency anaemia. (2018).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/
Iron: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2019).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
Micronutrient deficiencies. (n.d.). http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/ida/en/
Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.). https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/
Vitamin B12: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2019). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/
Vitamin C: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2019).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

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Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D. — Written by Yvette Brazier — Updated on December 6, 2019

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Key takeaways

Iron-deficiency anemia

Symptoms

Causes

Vitamin-deficiency anemia

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Food sources of iron, B-12, and folate

Medical treatment

Summary

Q:

A:

How we reviewed this article:

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