Anemia

• What is anemia?
• How is anemia detected?
• What is a complete blood cell (CBC) count?
• What is the red blood cell (RBC) count?
• What is the hematocrit?
• How is an hematocrit done?
• What is hemoglobin?
• What does a low hemoglobin level mean?
• What is the consequence of anemia?
• What are the symptoms of anemia?
• What is the cause of anemia?
• Can not enough iron be the problem?
• How about acute (sudden) blood loss as a cause of anemia?
• Can anemia be in your genes?
• What are the other causes of anemia?
• How is anemia treated?
• What is the outlook prognosis with anemia?
• Related anemia articles:
  Anemia - on WebMD

Anemia - on eMedicineHealth

What is anemia?

Anemia is having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less hemoglobin than normal in the blood.

How is anemia detected?

Anemia is usually detected or at least confirmed by a complete blood cell (CBC) count.

What is a complete blood cell (CBC) count?

In a CBC test, the different types of cells in the blood are counted and examined. Today, much of this work is often automated and done by machine. Six tests make up a CBC:

• Red blood cell (RBC) count
• Hematocrit
• Hemoglobin
• White blood cell (WBC) count
• Differential blood count (the "diff")
• Platelet count

Only the first three of these tests: the red blood cell (RBC) count, the hematocrit, and the hemoglobin, are relevant to the diagnosis of anemia.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Colonoscopy - Learn about the colonscopy procedure, what it is, why it is performed, preparation, complications, alternatives and the after effects of the screening exam on MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet Complete Blood Count - A complete blood count (CBC) is a calculation of the cellular makeup of blood. A CBC measures the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Source:MedicineNet Hemoglobin - Read about hemoglobin - the protein molecule in red blood cells. Learn what it is, how it is measured, and what normal, low and high level counts mean on MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet Read 357 more Anemia related articles ... Anemia Triples Risk of Local Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients A Bone Marrow Disease With a Brighter Prognosis Health Tip: If You Have to Take Iron Supplements Gene Variant Boosts Risk of Severe Diabetic Eye, Kidney Diseases Health Tip: What's Causing Your Dizziness? Mice Can Sense Oxygen Through Their Skin FDA Panel Supports Anemia Drugs for Cancer Patients MS Drug Tysabri Approved for Crohn's Disease Transfusions of 'Older' Blood Don't Work as Well FDA Issues New Warnings for Anemia Drugs