Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent worldwide, affecting 3% of adults and more commonly observed in women under 50. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) provides guidelines for its assessment in adults, emphasizing ferritin levels below 45 ng/mL for diagnosis and recommending noninvasive testing for H. pylori and celiac disease alongside bidirectional endoscopy.

Key aspects of management include diagnosing iron deficiency through serum ferritin testing and addressing associated conditions like H. pylori infection and celiac disease, which can impair iron absorption. Bidirectional endoscopy is recommended for men, postmenopausal women, and premenopausal women with IDA, although routine gastric biopsies are not advised. Oral iron supplementation is the mainstay treatment, with intravenous iron considered for specific cases such as malabsorption or chronic kidney disease.

Reference: Sonoda K. Iron Deficiency Anemia: Guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association. Am Fam Physician. 2021 Aug 1;104(2):211-212. PMID: 34383429.