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Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia will depend on its cause and severity. Treatments may include iron supplements, red blood cell transfusions, changes in your eating pattern, or procedures like endoscopy to stop bleeding.

To diagnose iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may do a physical exam, or order blood tests or other diagnostic tests. Blood tests will show a low hemoglobin level and low level of iron in your blood.

Iron-deficiency anemia can range from mild to severe. People with mild or moderate iron-deficiency anemia may not have any signs or symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia include pale skin, fatigue and shortness of breath. Complications of iron-deficiency anemia include heart problems such as arrhythmias and depression.

To screen for iron-deficiency anemia your doctor may order a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). Prevention of iron-deficiency anemia includes consuming enough iron and controlling other medical conditions that are risk factors for iron-deficiency anemia.

Risk factors for iron-deficiency anemia include being of certain age groups, some unhealthy environmental factors, family history and genetics, being female, and certain lifestyle habits such as vegetarianism.

Causes of iron-deficiency anemia include blood loss, consuming too little iron, problems absorbing iron, and certain medical conditions.

Learn about going home after TAH surgery, ongoing medical care you need, and possible complications of living with a TAH. If you are on the waiting list for a heart transplant, you will stay in close contact with the transplant center.

Your hospital stay after surgery could last a month or more. Recovery time after TAH surgery will depend a lot on your health before the surgery. As with any surgery, there are possible surgery-related complications after getting a TAH such as blood clots, bleeding, or infection.

The surgery to connect the TAH is complex and can last from five to nine hours. Learn about the team that performs the surgery and the steps involved in connecting a TAH to your body.

If you are not already in the hospital, you will likely spend at least a week in the hospital to prepare for the TAH surgery. You will continue to take any heart medicines your doctor gave you. During this time, you will learn about the TAH that you are getting and how to live with it. The members of your healthcare team will provide you with the information that you need before surgery.