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Anemia
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Anemia

Anemia is a condition where the blood lacks sufficient oxygen-carrying capacity, often due to iron deficiency or issues with red blood cell production.

Overview

If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Causes

Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction. Conditions that may lead to anemia include:

  • Heavy periods
  • Pregnancy
  • Ulcers
  • Colon polyps or colon cancer
  • Inherited disorders
  • A diet that does not have enough iron, folic acid or vitamin B12
  • Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, or cancer
  • Aplastic anemia, a condition that can be inherited or acquired
  • G6PD deficiency, a metabolic disorder

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Anemia can make you feel tired, cold, dizzy, and irritable. You may be short of breath or have a headache.

Your doctor will diagnose anemia with a physical exam and blood tests. Treatment depends on the kind of anemia you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

While mild fatigue can be common, you should seek medical attention if your symptoms of tiredness, weakness, dizziness, or shortness of breath are persistent, worsening, or significantly impacting your daily life. Urgent care is needed if you experience severe dizziness, fainting spells, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or extreme paleness, as these could indicate severe anemia or an underlying emergency like significant blood loss.
For iron-deficiency anemia, increasing your intake of iron-rich foods is key. This includes red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, spinach, fortified cereals, and dried fruits. Consuming vitamin C (from citrus fruits, bell peppers) with iron-rich foods helps improve iron absorption. For vitamin B12 deficiency, foods like meat, fish, dairy, and fortified plant milks are important. Folic acid-rich foods include leafy greens, fruits, nuts, and fortified grains. Always consult a doctor before starting any supplements.
The primary test is a complete blood count (CBC), which measures red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. If these are low, further tests like mean corpuscular volume (MCV) indicate the size of your red blood cells, helping to classify the type of anemia (e.g., small cells in iron deficiency). Other tests include ferritin (iron stores), serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), vitamin B12, and folate levels to pinpoint the specific cause of anemia.
Besides iron-deficiency anemia, other common types include vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (often treated with B12 injections or supplements), folate deficiency anemia (treated with folic acid supplements), and anemia of chronic disease (often managed by treating the underlying chronic condition). Hemolytic anemias (where red blood cells are destroyed too quickly) may require corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants, while aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure) might need immunosuppression or a stem cell transplant. Treatment is highly specific to the underlying cause.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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