Anaemia is a common condition occurring worldwide. There are several different forms of anaemia, with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) being two of the most prevalent types. Both have similar symptoms but are associated with different causes. Differentiating between the two types and confirming the diagnosis can be a difficult process. This article gives an insight into these two diseases, providing nurses and nonmedical prescribers with an understanding of assessment, diagnosis and treatment.