Definition of anemia

You may have anemia during pregnancy if a complete blood count (CBC) shows that your red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body, are low. This can make you feel fatigued, dizzy, cold and out of breath. In most cases of anemia during pregnancy, tweaks to your diet can put you on the right path. Overview What is anemia during pregnancy? Anemia is when you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. When your body doesn’t get enough oxygen from your blood, it can’t function properly. A person who has anemia during pregnancy is considered anemic. The red blood cells (RBCs) contain an important protein called hemoglobin. This protein holds oxygen and helps your red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your body. It also helps carry carbon dioxide from your body to your lungs so you can breathe it out. To produce RBCs and hemoglobin, your body needs a consistent supply of iron and vitamins. Without that supply, your body won’t produce enough hemoglobin to properly carry oxygen to your organs. It’s common for women to become anemic during pregnancy because they don’t have enough iron and other vitamins. What are the types of anemia affecting pregnant women? There are more than 400 types of • Iron-deficiency anemia, from a lack of iron. • Folate-deficiency anemia, from a lack of folic acid. • Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, from a lack of vitamin B12. Who is most likely to have anemia during pregnancy? Throughout pregnancy, the amount o...

Overview A hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your body's organs and tissues and transports carbon dioxide from your organs and tissues back to your lungs. If a hemoglobin test reveals that your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, it means you have a low red blood cell count (anemia). Anemia can have many different causes, including vitamin deficiencies, bleeding and chronic diseases. Why it's done You may have a hemoglobin test for several reasons: • To check your overall health. Your doctor may test your hemoglobin as part of a complete blood count during a routine medical examination to monitor your general health and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anemia. • To diagnose a medical condition. Your doctor may suggest a hemoglobin test if you're experiencing weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath or dizziness. These signs and symptoms may point to anemia or polycythemia vera. A hemoglobin test may help diagnose these or other medical conditions. • To monitor a medical condition. If you've been diagnosed with anemia or polycythemia vera, your doctor may use a hemoglobin test to monitor your condition and guide treatment. How you prepare If your blood sample is being tested only for hemoglobin, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If your blood sample will be used for other tests, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the sample ...

Abstract Context Whether hemoglobin concentrations defined as anemia by the World Health Organization (WHO) are associated with increased mortality in older persons is not known. Objective To investigate the association between hemoglobin concentration and cause-specific mortality in older persons. Design Community-based study conducted from 1986 to 1996 (follow-up period, 10 years). Setting Leiden, the Netherlands. Participants A total of 1016 community residents aged 85 years and older were eligible and 872 agreed to have a blood sample taken. Hemoglobin concentration was measured in 755 persons (74%). Main Outcome Measures Hemoglobin concentration, 10-year survival, and primary cause of death. According to the WHO criteria, anemia was defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 7.5 mmol/L (120 g/L) in women and below 8.1 mmol/L (130 g/L) in men. Results Compared with persons with a normal hemoglobin concentration, the mortality risk was 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.06; P<.001) in women with anemia, and 2.29 (95% CI, 1.60-3.26; P<.001) in men with anemia. In both sexes, the mortality risk increased with lower hemoglobin concentrations. In persons without self-reported clinical disease at baseline, the mortality risk of anemia was 2.21 (95% CI, 1.37-3.57; P=.002). Mortality from malignant and infectious diseases was higher in persons with anemia. Conclusions Anemia defined by the WHO criteria was associated with an increased mortality risk in persons aged 85...

The AGA defines anemia as a hemoglobin level of less than 13 g per dL (130 g per L) in men and less than 12 g per dL (120 g per L) in patients who are not pregnant. Serum ferritin testing is commonly used to diagnose iron deficiency in patients with anemia. Based on a systematic review, the AGA recommends using a ferritin threshold value of less than 45 ng per mL (45 mcg per L) for diagnosing iron deficiency in patients with anemia. This threshold has 85% sensitivity and 92% specificity for iron deficiency. Without anemia, the ferritin threshold for iron deficiency is uncertain. Ferritin testing is less accurate in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions or chronic kidney disease, and additional tests including serum iron, transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor, and C-reactive protein can help diagnose iron deficiency. Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with iron deficiency caused by atrophic gastritis and hypochlorhydria, which reduce iron absorption. Treating H. pylori infection improves the benefit of iron supplementation in anemia. After negative bidirectional endoscopy results, the AGA suggests noninvasive testing and treatment for H. pylori in IDA by urea breath testing, although stool antigen testing and serology can also be used. Celiac disease is another common cause of iron deficiency. The AGA suggests serologic testing for celiac disease in patients with iron deficiency, especially those with a family history of the disease, a person...

The tissues of the human body need a regular supply of oxygen to stay healthy. Red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin that allows them to deliver oxygen throughout the body, live for only about 120 days. When they die, the iron they contain is returned to the bone marrow and used to create new red blood cells. Anemia develops when heavy bleeding causes significant iron loss or when something happens to slow down the production of red blood cells or to increase the rate at which they are destroyed. Types of anemia VITAMIN B 12 DEFICIENCY ANEMIA. Less common in this country than folic acid anemia, vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia is another type of megaloblastic anemia that develops when the body doesn't absorb enough of this nutrient. Necessary for the creation of red blood cells, B 12 is found in meat and vegetables. SICKLE CELL ANEMIA. Sickle cell anemia is a chronic, incurable condition that causes the body to produce defective hemoglobin, which forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent shape. Unlike normal oval cells, fragile sickle cells can't hold enough hemoglobin to nourish body tissues. The deformed shape makes it hard for sickle cells to pass through narrow blood vessels. When capillaries become obstructed, a life-threatening condition called sickle cell crisis is likely to occur. Sickle cell anemia is hereditary. It almost always affects blacks and people of Mediterranean descent. A child who inherits the sickle cell gene from each parent will have t...

Recent Examples on the Web Born with sickle cell anemia, her life has always included the intervention of medicine and treatment. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023 Toxicology reports listed Murphy’s official cause of death as pneumonia and anemia with prescription drug intoxication listed as a contributing factor (though all the drugs found in Murphy’s system were prescribed and not present in high enough levels to be the sole cause of her death). — Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 8 May 2023 Two symptoms in particular—rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia—indicate an urgent need for further screening, through endoscopy, Cao said in the news release. — Korin Miller, Health, 4 May 2023 Using NSAIDs for some time can lead to stomach ulcers, which can cause internal bleeding and anemia, the NHS said. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 There are other medical causes for feeling cold, especially anemia, which should also be checked. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 1 Mar. 2023 Certain medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, immune disorders, and some cancers put you at risk of AC. — Isadora Baum, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 Some listed under the scheme—such as folic acid to treat anemia, or blood clotting, biotin to treat skin conditions and glipizide to treat diabetes—cost $2 or less for a 30-day supply. — Robert Hart, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Doctor King used to say America has a high blood pressure of creeds, but an anemia of deeds. — John Blake, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023 See M...

Symptoms Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include: • Extreme fatigue • Weakness • Pale skin • Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath • Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness • Cold hands and feet • Inflammation or soreness of your tongue • Brittle nails • Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch • Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia When to see a doctor If you or your child develops signs and symptoms that suggest iron deficiency anemia, see your doctor. Iron deficiency anemia isn't something to self-diagnose or treat. So see your doctor for a diagnosis rather than taking iron supplements on your own. Overloading the body with iron can be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage your liver and cause other complications. Causes Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives blood its red color and enables the red blood cells to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body. If you aren't consuming enough iron, or if you're losing too much iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop. Causes of iron deficiency anemia include: • Blood loss. Bloo...