Several types of anemias are caused by a deficiency, or shortage, of a certain vitamin or mineral in the body. Iron is usually stored in the bone marrow, liver , or spleen until it is needed to produce new red blood cells. If more iron is lost or used up than that which the body takes in, or absorbs, iron-deficiency anemia develops. This most often happens in children, pregnant women, and people trying to lose weight, when not enough iron is taken in through daily meals. In a few people the digestive system is not able to absorb enough iron.
Some people lose too much iron through menstrual or intestinal bleeding.
Common symptoms for anemia may be present if either vitamin is in short supply. It results when the body is not able to absorb enough of the vitamin and usually runs in families. It can also be caused by certain diseases or disorders or certain types of surgery. Some people are not able to store folic acid in large enough amounts. Others cannot absorb it or need more folic acid than a typical diet provides.