mia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate

oxygen to your body's tissues. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin,
can make you feel tired and weak.

There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be
temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe. In most cases, anemia
has more than one cause. See your doctor if you suspect that you have anemia. It
can be a warning sign of serious illness.

Treatments for anemia, which depend on the cause, range from taking supplements
to having medical procedures. You might be able to prevent some types of anemia
by eating a healthy, varied diet.

Types
1. Aplastic anemia

2. Iron deficiency anemia

3. Sickle cell anemia

4. Thalassemia

5. Vitamin deficiency anemia

Symptoms
Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity of anemia.
Depending on the causes of your anemia, you might have no symptoms.

Signs and symptoms, if they do occur, might include:

 Fatigue

 Weakness

 Pale or yellowish skin

 Irregular heartbeats

 Shortness of breath

 Dizziness or lightheadedness
  Chest pain

 Cold hands and feet

 Headaches

At first, anemia can be so mild that you don't notice it. But symptoms worsen as
anemia worsens.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel fatigued and you don't know why.

Fatigue has many causes besides anemia, so don't assume that if you're tired you
must be anemic. Some people learn that their hemoglobin is low, which indicates
anemia, when they donate blood. If you're told that you can't donate because of low
hemoglobin, make an appointment with your doctor.

Request an appointment
 

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Causes
Anemia can be due to a condition present at birth (congenital) or to a condition you
develop (acquired). Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough red blood
cells.

This can happen if:

  Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells

 Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can
be replaced

 Your body destroys red blood cells

What red blood cells do

Your body makes three types of blood cells — white blood cells to fight infection,
platelets to help your blood clot, and red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs
to the rest of your body and carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin — an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red
color. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all
parts of your body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your
lungs to be exhaled.

Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in your bone
marrow — a spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones.
To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B-12,
folate and other nutrients from the foods you eat.

Causes of anemia

Different types of anemia have different causes. They include:

 Iron deficiency anemia. This most common type of anemia is caused

by a shortage of iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to
make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce
enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.

Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in many

pregnant women. It's also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy
menstrual bleeding; an ulcer in the stomach or small bowel; cancer of the
large bowel; and regular use of some pain relievers that are available
without a prescription, especially aspirin, which can cause inflammation
of the stomach lining resulting in blood loss. It's important to determine
the source of iron deficiency to prevent recurrence of the anemia.
  Vitamin deficiency anemia. Besides iron, your body needs folate and
vitamin B-12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in
these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell
production. Some people who consume enough B-12 aren't able to
absorb the vitamin. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia, also
known as pernicious anemia.

 Anemia of inflammation. Certain diseases — such as

cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease
and other acute or chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with
the production of red blood cells.

 Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your

body doesn't produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia
include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases and
exposure to toxic chemicals.

 Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. A variety of

diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by
affecting blood production in your bone marrow. The effects of these
types of cancer and cancer-like disorders vary from mild to life-
threatening.

 Hemolytic anemias. This group of anemias develops when red blood

cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain
blood diseases increase red blood cell destruction. You can inherit a
hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life.

 Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious condition is a

hemolytic anemia. It's caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that
forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape.
These irregular blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic
shortage of red blood cells.

Risk factors
These factors place you at increased risk of anemia:

 A diet lacking in certain vitamins and minerals. A diet consistently

low in iron, vitamin B-12, folate and copper increases your risk of
anemia.
  Intestinal disorders. Having an intestinal disorder that affects the
absorption of nutrients in your small intestine — such as Crohn's disease
and celiac disease — puts you at risk of anemia.

 Menstruation. In general, women who haven't had menopause have a

greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than do men and postmenopausal
women. Menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells.

 Pregnancy. Being pregnant and not taking a multivitamin with folic acid

and iron, increases your risk of anemia.

 Chronic conditions. If you have cancer, kidney failure or another

chronic condition, you could be at risk of anemia of chronic disease.
These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells.

Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within your body
can deplete your body's store of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia.

 Family history. If your family has a history of an inherited anemia, such

as sickle cell anemia, you also might be at increased risk of the
condition.

 Other factors. A history of certain infections, blood diseases and

autoimmune disorders increases your risk of anemia. Alcoholism,
exposure to toxic chemicals and the use of some medications can affect
red blood cell production and lead to anemia.

 Age. People over age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.

Complications
Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as:

 Extreme fatigue. Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't
complete everyday tasks.

 Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with folate deficiency

anemia can be more likely to have complications, such as premature
birth.

 Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat

(arrhythmia). When you're anemic your heart pumps more blood to make
up for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart
or heart failure.
  Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to
life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in
acute, severe anemia and can be fatal. Among older people, anemia is
associated with an increased risk of death.

Prevention
Many types of anemia can't be prevented. But you can avoid iron deficiency anemia
and vitamin deficiency anemias by eating a diet that includes a variety of vitamins
and minerals, including:

 Iron. Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-
fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables and dried fruit.

 Folate. This nutrient, and its synthetic form folic acid, can be found in
fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney
beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products, such as bread, cereal,
pasta and rice.

 Vitamin B-12. Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include meat, dairy products,

and fortified cereal and soy products.

 Vitamin C. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices,

peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons and strawberries. These also help
increase iron absorption.

If you're concerned about getting enough vitamins and minerals from food, ask your
doctor whether a multivitamin might help.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Anemia care at Mayo Clinic

Request an appointment
Diagnosis & treatment
Feb. 11, 2022
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