Anemia: A Treatable Blood Condition

What is anemia?

Anemia is when the blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body. Doctors describe it as having a low blood count. Having anemia can make you feel tired and weak.

Anemia has many different causes from not making enough red blood cells to blood loss, such as during menstruation. Treatments range from taking dietary supplements to undergoing medical procedures. You might be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy diet.

Types of anemia include:

• Aplastic anemia
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Thalassemia
• Vitamin deficiency anemia
• Hemolytic anemia

How can I tell if I’m anemic?

Anemia can range from mild to severe. If mild, it may cause no symptoms or you may feel fatigue, general weakness, dizziness. If it’s more severe, it could cause lightheadedness, headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness. Go to the emergency room if you are experiencing lightheadedness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or lose consciousness.

Main symptoms

• Fatigue
• General weakness
• Irritability
• Headache
• Feeling cold
• Palpitations—rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Chest pain, especially with exercise or exertion
• Shortness of breath, especially with exercise or exertion
• Loss of consciousness

Other symptoms you may have

You may have symptoms specific to what is causing your anemia:

• Slow bleeding in the intestines
  • Black or bloody stools
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Pale skin
• Medication that leads to increased breakdown of red blood cells
  • Yellow skin
  • Dark urine

What causes a person to become anemic?

There are three main reasons people become anemic: not making enough red blood cells, increased destruction of red blood cells, or blood loss.

Not making enough red blood cells

Your body requires many nutrients including iron, vitamin B12, and folate to make red blood cells, so anemia can be caused by not getting enough of those in your diet.

• Not enough iron in your diet
• Not enough folic acid, vitamin B12, or vitamin C in your diet.
• Problems in the bone marrow where red blood cells are made.
• Thyroid and growth hormone deficiencies.
• Anemia from chronic disease such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, or certain chronic infectious diseases.

Increased destruction of red blood cells by the body

• Genetic conditions, such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, or spherocytosis.
• Medication side effects from certain antibiotics such as cephalosporins, penicillins, and chemotherapies including platinum-based drugs such as oxaliplatin.
• Infections.
• Enlarged spleen.

Blood loss

• You have heavy menstrual periods.
• Injuries from trauma, like violence or an accident, resulting in blood loss.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding.
• You have a tendency to bleed more because you’re taking blood thinners or have problems with blood clotting.

Next steps

If you are having mild symptoms you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. You should call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are having severe symptoms or any chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness.

Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as:

• Severe fatigue. Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks.
• Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When you're anemic, your heart must pump more blood to make up for the lack of oxygen. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
• Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal.

Treatment for anemia

Your doctor is likely to ask you about your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and run the following tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC) blood test to find the levels of red blood cells (hematocrit) and the hemoglobin in your blood. Normal adult hematocrit values are generally between 40% and 50% for men and 35% and 47% for women. Normal adult hemoglobin values are generally 14 to 18 grams per deciliter for men and 12 to 16 grams per deciliter for women, according to the National Institutes of Health.
• A blood test to determine the size, shape, and color of your red blood cells.

Treatment can depend on its severity and cause.

Follow up

You will need to get your hemoglobin (blood count) checked every 1 to 6 months (your doctor will decide how often) after treatment is started to make sure treatment is working.

Preventative tips

The most common cause of anemia is nutritional deficiency, especially iron deficiency. The best way to avoid this is to make sure that you are eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens.