Is iron deficiency the same thing as anemia?
Iron deficiency refers to a decrease in the amount of iron stored in the body, while anemia refers to a drop in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or the amount of hemoglobin within the RBCs. It typically takes several weeks after iron stores are depleted for the level of hemoglobin and production of RBCs to be affected and for anemia to develop. There usually are few symptoms early in iron deficiency, but as the condition worsens and blood levels of hemoglobin and RBCs decrease, ongoing weakness and fatigue can develop.
