Anemia

Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is anemia?
• What causes anemia?
• Can not enough iron cause anemia?
• What about acute (sudden) blood loss as a cause of anemia?
• What are other causes of anemia?
• Can anemia be hereditary?
• What are the symptoms of anemia?
• How is anemia diagnosed?
• What is a complete blood cell (CBC) count?
• How is blood collected for a complete blood cell (CBC)?
• What is the red blood cell (RBC) count?
• What is hemoglobin?
• What does a low hemoglobin level mean?
• What is the hematocrit?
• How is hematocrit determined?
• How is anemia treated?
• What are the complications of anemia?
• What is the outlook (prognosis) for anemia?
• Patient Discussions: Anemia - Symptoms Experienced

Featured anemia patient discussions on symptoms and signs experienced "I had shortness of breath, weakness, no energy. I was unable to do simple chores, unable to walk any distance." "I am tired all of the time, no motivation, short of breath, headaches & dizziness." "I felt very tired, and tired in my movements. I would describe it as being tired down to my bones. It was almost as if I was going to get the flu but I never did. I also felt light headed and I couldn't take a deep breath." "I was tired all of the time. I felt like I had to take a daily nap in order to survive. I also was having heart palpitations every day even while resting." "When I read the above symptoms for anemia, they described me to a "T." I often feel as if I cannot make it through a day. I am so exhausted and weak. What's worse, my hair is subtly falling out. I get the palpitations that have been mentioned, along with a sort of racing of the heart. Okay, I've said enough here. Right now, I need a nap...again." Read All Anemia Comments » Top Searched Anemia Terms: bone marrow test, complete blood count (CBC), epoetin alfa (epogin, procrit), hemoglobin, hiv, iron deficiency, kidney failure, leukemia, hemacrit, pernicious anemia, red blood cell (RBC) count, sickle cell anemia, fibroids Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is anemia?

Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is less than normal. The normal level of hemoglobin is generally different in males and females. For men, anemia is typically defined as hemoglobin level of less than 13.5 gram/100ml and in women as hemoglobin of less than 12.0 gram/100ml. These definitions may vary slightly depending on the source and the laboratory reference used.

What causes anemia?

Any process that can disrupt the normal life span of a red blood cell may cause anemia. Normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.

Anemia is caused essentially through two basic pathways. Anemia is either caused:

1. by a decrease in production of red blood cell or hemoglobin, or
   
   
2. by a loss or destruction of blood.

As more common classifications of anemia (low hemoglobin) is based on the MCV, or the volume of individual red blood cells.

1. If the MCV is low (less than 80), the anemia is categorized as microcytic anemia (low cell volume).
   
   
2. If the MCV is in the normal range (80-100), it is called a normocytic anemia (normal cell volume).
   
   
3. If the MCV is high, then it is called a macrocytic anemia (large cell volume).

Looking at each of the components of a complete blood count (CBC), especially the MCV, a physician can gather clues as what may be the most common reason for anemia.

Anemia - Symptoms Experienced

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

For anemia, what were the symptoms and signs you experienced?

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