Patient was educated on the causes of iron deficiency as follows:

Acute blood loss

1. Any acute blood loss from injuries, accidents, wounds, or any surgical procedures can result in iron deficiency.

Pregnancy

1. During pregnancy, women can present with iron deficiency, secondary to increased blood volume and biological demands of pregnancy.

Compromised acid environment of stomach

1. Iron needs acidic environment, to get absorbed in the small intestine.
2. Gastric acid secreted in the stomach maintains the needed acidic environment for iron absorption.
3. Individuals with history of gastric resection can have reduced gastric acid secretion, poor acid environment, contributing to compromised iron absorption.
4. Individuals taking antacids can have the acid environment in the stomach needed for iron absorption compromised, contributing to reduced iron absorption.

Injury to small intestine

1. Gastric acid secreted in the stomach maintains the needed acidic environment for iron absorption.
2. Utilizing this acidic environment, iron is absorbed from the small intestine.
3. Any injury to small intestine, such as, in individuals with celiac disease, can result in poor iron absorption.
4. Individuals with history of small intestine resection can have reduced site of iron absorption, contributing to compromised iron absorption.