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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you think you may have iron deficiency anemia, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases, you may also be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders (hematologist). If your doctor suspects an unknown source of bleeding, you may also be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive tract disorders (gastroenterologist), or for women, a doctor who specializes in women's reproductive health (gynecologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. For iron deficiency anemia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- I have another health condition. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment anytime that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Are you a vegetarian?
- Have you recently donated blood more than once?
- Iron-deficiency anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ida/ida_all.html. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Schrier SL. Causes and diagnosis of anemia due to iron deficiency. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 19, 2009.
- Schrier SL. Approach to the adult patient with anemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 19, 2009.
- Mesa R (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 28, 2009.
- Schrier SL. Treatment of anemia due to iron deficiency. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 19, 2009.
