Iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by a lack of iron. Find information and support relating to this condition below.


Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia this can include:

  • Tiredness and lack of energy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Noticeable heart beats (palpitations)
  • Pale skin

If you are waiting for surgery and suspect that you may have iron deficiency anaemia, it is important that you see your General Practice (GP) for a blood test to confirm whether or not you have this. 

This is because having iron deficiency anaemia can increase your risks from undergoing surgery.  In some cases, your surgery might need to be postponed until your iron levels are at the right level so identifying and treating this early can reduce the risk of this happening.

If you do have iron deficiency anaemia, this can be treated with iron tablets. You might also be able to make changes to your diet to eat more foods rich in iron and to improve your body’s absorption of iron.