Anemia symptoms

Red blood cells are disc-shaped blood cells that carry oxygen to the organs and tissues of your body. Anemia happens when the number of healthy red blood cells in your body is too low. Every part of your body needs a sufficient supply of oxygen to function effectively. Many of the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, are caused by decreased oxygen delivery to your body’s vital organs and tissues. Red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in your lungs, allowing red blood cells to carry and deliver it throughout your body. Anemia is measured according to the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. It’s estimated that anemia affected more than There are many different types and causes of anemia. Some types of anemia are mild and can be easily treated, while others can cause potentially serious health complications. This article will take a dive deeper into the different causes, symptoms, and nutritional factors associated with anemia, and will also explain how it’s diagnosed and treated. Red blood cells are produced in your About Any process that has a negative effect on this balance between red blood cell production and destruction can cause anemia. Causes of anemia are generally divided into those that decrease red blood cell production and those that increase red blood cell destruction or loss. Factors that decrease red blood cell production When red blood cell production is lower than normal, more red b...

Stage 2: The body does not have enough iron to build new red blood cells. Instead, the body uses zinc. Blood work may still show normal hemoglobin levels, but transferrin saturation levels (a measure of how much iron is being held in the body) are low, and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), which helps use zinc In RBCs, is high. You may feel fatigued and dizzy at this stage, although you may not have any symptoms. • Being underweight. Calories from any source do not affect iron absorption. Still, people who are underweight are often iron deficient because there isn't enough iron in their diet. • Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys. It plays an important role in stimulating red blood cell production. You may need erythropoietin replacement to stimulate red blood cell production if you have kidney disease. Dialysis does not correct this hormone problem. • Some cancers, especially those that involve white blood cells, are associated with low RBC levels. Most cancer treatments also suppress the production of RBCs. The lack of RBCs doesn't decrease iron levels, but it prevents the iron in the body from doing what it is meant to do. Diagnosing Iron Deficiency A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that counts your platelets and your red and white blood cells. This test can only suggest iron deficiency anemia, because there are also other causes of anemia. Your doctor will try to identify the cause based on your medical history and exam. Dietary Supplements Most mal...

The The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early Symptoms common to many types of anemia include the following: • Easy • Unusually rapid • Shortness of breath and • Difficulty concentrating • • Pale • Leg • Other symptoms are associated with specific forms of anemia. Anemia Caused by Iron Deficiency People with an iron deficiency may experience these symptoms: • A • Upward curvature of the nails, referred to as koilonychias • Soreness of the mouth with cracks at the corners Anemia Caused by Vitamin B12 Deficiency People whose anemia is caused by a deficiency of • A tingling, "pins and needles" sensation in the hands or feet • Lost sense of touch • A wobbly gait and difficulty walking • Clumsiness and stiffness of the arms and legs • Anemia Caused by Chronic Lead Poisoning Chronic lead poisoning may lead to these symptoms: • A blue-black line on the gums referred to as a lead line • • • Anemia Caused by Chronic Red Blood Cell Destruction Anemia caused by chronic red • • Brown or red urine • Leg ulcers • Failure to thrive in infancy • Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms of sickle cell anemia may include: • • Susceptibility to infection • Delayed growth and development in children • Episodes of severe pain, especially in the joints, Anemia Caused by Sudden Red Blood Cell Destruction Symptoms of anemia caused by sudden red • Abdominal pain • Brown or red urine • Jaundice (yellow skin) • Small • • Symptoms of kidney failure Call Your Doctor About Anemia If...

Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): Transferrin, a protein that transports iron, is elevated in iron-deficiency anemia—a sign that the body needs more iron. The TIBC, an indirect measurement of transferrin, is usually high when iron stores are decreased and low when iron stores are elevated. TIBC is low or normal in anemia of chronic disease—a sign that there is enough iron but it is not readily available. In iron-deficiency anemia, TIBC is typically high, often in excess of 400 mcg/dl because iron stores are low. • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. • American Society of Hematology. • MedlinePlus. • The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation. • John Hopkins Medicine. • Goldstein JL, Cryer B. Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2015;7:31-41. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S71976 • Madu AJ, Ughasoro MD. Med Princ Pract. 2017;26(1):1-9. doi:10.1159/000452104 • Cancer Therapy Advisor. • Kell DB, Pretorius E. Metallomics. 2014;6(4):748–773. doi:10.1039/c3mt00347g • Yokus O, Yilmaz B, Albayrak M, Balcik OS, Helvaci MR, Sennaroglu E. Eurasian J Med; 43(1):9-12. • Merck Manual Professional Version. Additional Reading

• Tingling, prickling feelings (also called "pins and needles" or paresthesia) • Muscle weakness • Ataxia: An inability to voluntarily coordinate and control your muscle movements, which can affect eye movement, speech, and swallowing • Digestive tract issues like bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite • An enlarged • Frequent infections • Easily bleeding • Fevers • Tiny, circular red spots on the skin caused by bleeding from small blood vessels ( petechiae) • Nosebleeds • Blood in stool • • Nausea • • Abnormally formed kidneys, heart, lungs, digestive tract, arms, and hands (specific to Fanconi anemia, a form of aplastic anemia) Anemia, especially if it's severe, can strain your heart, weaken your immune system, and lead to other complications. It can cause pregnancy complications or developmental problems in infancy and childhood. When to See a Healthcare Provider If you’ve been diagnosed with anemia and you experience a worsening of symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, head to the hospital immediately. If possible, get someone else to drive you. You may be experiencing heart problems, including heart failure. • You’ve already been diagnosed with an underlying condition that can lead to anemia (e.g., kidney disease, • You have a family history of inherited anemia (consider undergoing genetic testing and counseling for it) • You're experiencing a number of anemia symptoms; this could be a sign of a more serious or chronic condition lik...

Your RBCs contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout your body. When you don’t have enough of these cells, or when they’re not functioning as they should, you can feel low in energy, and you may also have other symptoms, such as feeling cold all the time, headaches, and dizziness. • Malnutrition due to a diet low in vitamin B12, iron, or protein • Gastrointestinal (GI) disease that leads to impaired absorption of dietary nutrients • Rapid bleeding after an injury • Surgical blood loss • Slow, chronic blood loss due to gastrointestinal bleeding, bladder disease, or • Congenital (present at birth) RBC disorders, such as • • Chronic liver or kidney disease • Lead exposure, such as from lead paint or contaminated water • Infections, such as Some of these conditions, like traumatic blood loss, cause sudden and severe anemia. For example, some types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, may worsen rapidly, leading to an abrupt onset of anemia. In contrast, lead toxicity or liver disease can progress slowly, leading to a gradual progression of anemia. It is never safe to leave anemia untreated. If you develop any signs of anemia, such as pale skin, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue, you should make an appointment to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Blood tests can help Blood tests for anemia include: • • • Further tests may be done to look for the underlying cause. Signs of Severe Anemia Anemia can range in severity. Even mild anemi...

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia, a blood disorder that affects your red blood cells. Iron-deficiency symptoms develop over time. Healthcare providers may treat iron-deficiency anemia by diagnosing and treating the condition that caused anemia and/or by prescribing iron supplements. Overview What is iron-deficiency anemia? Iron-deficiency anemia is a How does iron-deficiency anemia affect my body? Iron-deficiency anemia symptoms happen over time. Initially, you may have low iron and feel fine or have symptoms that are so mild you don’t notice them. Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause you to have unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice, dirt or paper. How does iron-deficiency anemia develop? Normally, your body brings in a steady flow of iron from the food you eat. Your body stores excess iron so it’s available as needed to make hemoglobin. Iron-deficiency anemia develops when your body uses the iron stores faster than they can be refilled, or when the flow of iron into your system has slowed. This occurs in three stages: • First stage: Iron stores are depleted. In this stage, the supply of iron to make new hemoglobin and red blood cells is dwindling but hasn’t yet affecte...