Iron deficiency anemia Management Red blood cell transfusion Q Is the patient hemodynamically unstable? Yes Consider administering limited transfusion of packed red cells in patients with symptomatic IDA. Continue iron replacement therapy after transfusion. B Iron supplementation Do not defer iron replacement therapy while awaiting investigations for IDA unless colonoscopy is imminent. D Initiate initial treatment with 1 tablet/day of ferrous sulfate, fumarate or gluconate. B Iron supplementation BSG Q Is oral iron poorly tolerated? Yes Consider administering a reduced dose of 1 tablet every other day, alternative oral preparations or parenteral iron, if initial treatment is not tolerated. B No Helicobacter pylori eradication BSG Q Does the patient have recurrent iron deficiency anemia? Q Does the patient have normal gastroscopy and colonoscopy results? Yes to all Initiate eradication therapy for H. pylori, if present, in patients with recurrent IDA and normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. B No to any Continue management as clinically appropriate.