Difference Between Sickle Cell And Iron Deficiency Anemia

The difference between sickle cell and iron deficiency anemia is thin in some ways but wide in others. However, this post will go deep in explaining how the two are similar yet far apart. But before we do, let us take a look at what both are.

RBC

Sickle Cell Anaemia

According to Cleveland, Sickle cell anemia is a blood disease that affects red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are round. In people with sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin – a substance in red blood cells – becomes defective and causes the red blood cells to change shape.

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The faulty hemoglobin is called hemoglobin S (HgbS), and it replaces normal hemoglobin which is called hemoglobin A (HgbA). Over time, the red blood cells become rigid and shaped like crescent moons or sickles.

The sickle-shaped red blood cells:

• Clog blood vessels, causing episodes of pain and cutting off oxygen to tissues and organs.
• Get trapped in the spleen (an organ that gets rid of old cells) where they are destroyed. The body cannot replace the lost cells fast enough. As a result, the body has too few red blood cells, a condition known as anemia.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

According to Mayoclinic, Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues.

As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.

Difference Between Sickle Cell And Iron Deficiency Anemia

Before we go into the difference, let us take a look at some of their similarities. Sickle cell disease leads to anemia. The same condition with iron deficiency anemia. That means both lead to reduced RBC in the body.

They both share similar symptoms and signs such as: extreme fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, cold hands and feet, inflammation or soreness of your tongue, brittle nails, unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch and poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia.

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The major difference between sickle cell anemia and iron deficiency anemia is that one is a disease and the other a sign with symptoms. Also, sickle cell is inherited but iron deficiency is not.

Lastly, supplements with iron can treat iron deficiency anemia but not with sickle cell anemia. There may be too much iron in the body of sickle cell patient but not in iron deficiency patient.