Iron deficiency anemia--Part-I.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the single most common disorder affecting mankind. It is estimated that more than 2 billion people suffer from IDA wor ldwide. It is seen in all parts of the world – developed as well as developing countries. Though iron deficiency is universal, it is more marked in developing world. In India nearly 70% of women are estimated to be iron deficient. Iron deficiency and IDA are not synonymous. Iron deficiency can exist without anemia. IDA is very late manifestation of iron deficiency because iron deficiency is very well tolerated. Anemia does not develop till storage iron is exhausted. To understand the pathogenesis of iron deficiency, we need to understand var ious aspects iron metabolism.