CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Anaemia - iron deficiency - Management
What history should I take at initial assessment?
- Diet (to identify poor iron intake).
- Drug history (e.g. aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, clopidogrel, and corticosteroids).
- History of overt bleeding or blood donation.
- Menstrual history (if appropriate).
- History of recent illness which might suggest underlying gastrointestinal bleeding:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (including altered bowel habit).
- Weight loss.
- Travel history (increased risk of hookworm in travellers to the tropics).
- Family history:
- Iron deficiency anaemia (which may indicate inherited disorders of iron absorption).
- Haematological disorders (e.g. thalassaemia).
- Bleeding disorders and telangiectasia.
- If the anaemia is severe, ask about specific cardiac symptoms (e.g. angina, dysrhythmias, and ankle swelling).
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement