Iron deficiency anemia is typically treated with which therapy?

• A. Folic acid
• B. Calcium carbonate
• C. Vitamin B12 injections
• D. Iron supplements

Answer: (D)

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when iron stores are too low to support normal hemoglobin production. The treatment aims to replenish those iron stores so red blood cells can form properly, which is achieved with iron supplements. Oral iron is the standard approach and is effective for most people; intravenous iron is used if absorption is poor or oral iron isn’t tolerated.

Folic acid helps with folate-related anemia or certain conditions but doesn’t correct iron deficiency. Calcium carbonate provides calcium and has no role in treating iron deficiency; in fact, calcium can interfere with iron absorption if taken together. Vitamin B12 injections treat B12 deficiency anemia, not iron deficiency, so they don’t address the underlying problem here.