Getting Help for Anemia

Anemia is a condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells (RBC’s) and/or amount of hemoglobin found in the red blood cells drops below normal. Red blood cells and specifically the hemoglobin contained within them are necessary for the transport and delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Decreased oxygen to the rest of the body can have serious effects on organs and the brain. Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects about 3.5 million Americans. There are more than 400 types of anemia, and women of child-bearing age are among the largest group effected by the condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Anemia can be mild or severe, and can be either a temporary condition or a chronic one, depending on the cause. The most common symptoms are:
• general sense of weakness or fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Headache
• Feeling of coldness or numbness in hands or feet
• Shortness of breath
As many symptoms are similar to other conditions, a blood test is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of anemia.

Laboratory Tests

Because symptoms may be mild or masked by other conditions, anemia is often first discovered during a complete physical which includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC). This routine test counts the number and proportion of the cells in your blood. If the CBC indicates anemia, your physician may want to follow up with a blood smear or differential test which will provide more data as to the cause of the anemia.

Share Your Symptoms with your Doctor

Although anemia is a common illness, it is nevertheless a condition that left untreated, can have a serious effect on your overall health. It is often helpful prior to a visit with your doctor that you take a moment to write down any concerns you may have, including any which might indicate that you may want to be tested for anemia.

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