Are you feeling more tired than usual lately? Or are you suffering from frequent headaches? These could be signs of anemia, a common condition where you have fewer red blood cells than normal.
Anemia affects more than 3 million Americans, and at first, it can go unnoticed. But if anemia goes on untreated, you may start experiencing symptoms. Knowledge is power when it comes to understanding what your body might be telling you about your health. Here’s a look at what anemia is, what the symptoms look like and how you can find out through testing if you’re anemic.
What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition caused by a lack of healthy red blood cells or low hemoglobin levels in the blood. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein which carries oxygen throughout the body. When hemoglobin levels are low, the decrease in oxygen delivery can cause symptoms.
What are the types of anemia and what causes anemia?
- Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type. It's caused by a lack of iron in your body or the inability to absorb iron properly. Without adequate iron stores, the body cannot build the hemoglobin molecules needed for red blood cells to function.
- Vitamin deficiency anemia occurs due to a lack of vitamin B12 or folate. The human body cannot produce vitamin B12 or folate, so these nutrients must be absorbed in the diet. If you do not consume enough or your body has trouble absorbing the vitamins, red blood cell production is impaired.
Anemia can also be caused by bleeding, bone marrow diseases and other chronic conditions.
How is anemia treated?
The treatment for anemia varies depending on the specific type. For example, iron deficiency anemia may be treated by changing your diet to increase iron intake, while vitamin deficiency anemias like B12 deficiency anemia can be treated with vitamin supplements. Anemias associated with chronic conditions or other underlying causes may require more care, in addition to a nutritious diet.
Is an anemia test right for you? Learn more about Labcorp OnDemand’s Anemia test.
Possible symptoms of anemia:
- Fatigue: One of the most common symptoms of anemia is feeling very tired and weak. When your body lacks healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen, you may feel exhausted even after plenty of rest. Everyday tasks can become difficult when you're fatigued from anemia
- Dizziness: Anemia can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy when you stand up or move around. This happens because the lack of oxygen makes it difficult for your brain to function properly. Sitting or lying down when you feel dizzy can help prevent falls
- Headaches: Headaches are another frequent complaint with anemia. When your brain doesn't get enough oxygen from the blood, it can trigger headaches. The headaches may be dull and constant or come and go
- Shortness of Breath: You may notice yourself feeling winded or short of breath easily with anemia. Even mild physical activity like walking can leave you breathless. That's because your muscles and organs need more oxygen when active, which anemic blood can't provide sufficiently
- Pale Skin: The lack of healthy red blood cells shows in your skin, especially on white or lighter skin, leaving it looking pale. You may also notice pale gums, inner eyelids and nail beds. Anemia can make dark circles appear under the eyes as well.
Who is at risk for anemia?
You may be at greater risk for anemia if you have:
- Rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Liver disease
- Thyroid disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diabetes
If you're pregnant or on your period, there’s also a higher risk of becoming anemic. Anemia rates also increase as you get older, but don't just brush it off as normal aging. For all people, it's important to watch out for signs of anemia so you can work with your healthcare provider on a plan to correct any issues.
Why you should get an anemia test
Since the symptoms of anemia can be vague at first, it often goes undiagnosed. But the impact on your health and daily life is real.
You can test for anemia with Labcorp OnDemand’s Anemia Test. It includes a complete blood count (CBC) that measures your red blood cells to detect anemia. Iron, vitamin B12 and folate levels are also tested, since deficiencies in these are common causes. Knowing exactly which levels are out of range can point you in the right direction for taking appropriate next steps.
Knowledge is power when it comes to your health. Don't ignore symptoms that could point to a treatable condition like anemia. Getting tested provides valuable information to you and your provider so that a treatment plan can be made if needed.
