Anemia

Anemia occurs when red blood cells don’t work as they should or blood cell levels are too low. At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our specialists diagnose and treat all types of anemia.

What is anemia?

Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or the cells don’t work properly. Red blood cells have hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

When you have anemia, your body doesn’t get enough oxygen. You may feel very tired or have trouble breathing.

Causes of anemia

Most commonly, certain health conditions, medical treatments or other life events cause anemia. This is known as acquired anemia. Common causes of acquired anemia include:

• Chronic health conditions, such as cancer and kidney disease
• Diet low in iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid
• Heavy or long-term blood loss from an accident, trauma or surgery
• Medications and treatments, such as chemotherapy
• Pregnancy
• Short-term blood loss from heavy periods or bleeding in the digestive tract

Sometimes, anemia has a genetic cause. A gene change, also called a mutation, that is passed from a parent to a child can cause certain types of inherited anemias. A gene change that causes a condition that affects red blood cells may also lead to anemia.

Anemia symptoms

Anemia may or may not cause symptoms. Fatigue (extreme lack of energy) is the most common symptom. Other anemia symptoms may include:

• Chest pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath

Anemia types

The type of anemia depends on its underlying cause. Common types of anemia include:

• Iron-deficiency anemia: Blood loss and poor absorption of dietary iron can cause iron-deficiency anemia. This is the most common type of anemia.
• Vitamin-deficiency anemia: Low dietary intake or poor absorption of vitamin B9 (folate) and/or vitamin B12 causes this type of acquired anemia. These B vitamins help make red blood cells.
• Sickle cell anemia: Sickle cell anemia (also called sickle cell disease) causes the body to make abnormally shaped red blood cells that don’t function as they should. Sickle cell is the most common type of inherited anemia.
• Hemolytic anemia: This type of anemia occurs when red blood cells break down or die faster than they should due to a health problem or inherited condition.
• Aplastic anemia: This rare, serious blood disorder occurs when stem cells in bone marrow don’t make enough blood cells. Aplastic anemia may be acquired or caused by an inherited condition.

Anemia diagnosis

A routine blood test during an annual physical exam may detect mild anemia, which doesn’t always cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, your health care provider will conduct a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms and medical history.

You’ll also have a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). This test measures your levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets. If your CBC indicates anemia and the cause is unclear, you may need additional tests. For example, your provider may perform a bone marrow biopsy.

Anemia risk factors

Your chances of developing anemia increase as you get older. These factors also increase your risk:

• Autoimmune disease
• Cancer and cancer treatments
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Substance use disorder (addiction), especially alcohol use disorder
• Thyroid disease

Anemia prevention

You can’t prevent some types of anemia. But eating foods that have iron, vitamin B12 and folate can lower your risk of some acquired anemias. Your health care provider may also recommend taking an iron supplement or multivitamin with iron.