Iron deficiency anaemia

Patient outlook

This depends upon the underlying cause of the IDA. Uncomplicated IDA secondary to multiple pregnancies has a very good prognosis with relatively simple treatment. However, if the IDA is secondary to a gastrointestinal cancer, prognosis is dependent upon tumour staging. Once the haemoglobin is corrected, it takes an additional 6 months or so of iron replacement therapy to replenish iron stores.