Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen to different parts of the body. Iron is used by the body to make hemoglobin, the part of red blood cell that carries oxygen. This condition can occur because of lack of iron in the diet, decreased absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract, or chronic blood loss (e.g., heavy periods or colon cancer).