Anemia (low red blood cells)

Overview

Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body using a protein called hemoglobin. When you have too few, your organs don't get enough oxygen.

Anemia can come from blood loss (like heavy periods), not making enough red blood cells (like low iron, B12, or folate, or kidney disease), or red blood cells breaking down too fast (hemolysis).

Symptoms

Mild anemia may cause no symptoms.

• Feeling weak all over
• Feeling tired
• Pale skin
• Getting winded easily

Less common

• Dizziness
• Cold hands and feet
• Headache
• Fast heartbeat
• Craving ice or dirt

Look up a symptom: Dizziness · Fatigue

When to get medical care

Causes

Common causes are low iron (from bleeding or diet), low B12 or folate, long-term diseases like kidney disease, and inherited conditions like sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
• It can run in families. Tell your doctor if a parent, brother, or sister has it.

Who is more likely to get it

• Heavy periods or pregnancy
• Vegetarian or vegan diet
• Long-term illness
• Stomach or gut problems
• Family history of blood disorders

Possible complications

• Heart strain: In severe anemia

Diagnosis

A blood test shows anemia. More tests find the cause.

Questions you may be asked

• Heavy periods, black stools, or other bleeding
• Your diet
• Family history of blood disorders

The exam

They'll look for pale skin and a fast heartbeat.

Tests

Tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC): Measures hemoglobin and red blood cell size.
• Iron, B12, and folate tests: Find nutrient causes.
• Stool or other tests: Look for hidden bleeding.

Treatment

Treatment fixes the cause.

Self-care

• Eat iron-rich foods like meat, beans, lentils, and fortified cereal
• Take iron with vitamin C and away from tea, coffee, and calcium
• Rest when you need to

Medicines

Common treatments:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Iron, B12, or folate supplements treat deficiencies. Bleeding is found and stopped. Some people need IV iron, medicines that boost red blood cells, or transfusions.

How it compares

Prevention

To help prevent anemia:

• Eat foods rich in iron, B12, and folate
• Get heavy periods checked
• Take prenatal vitamins in pregnancy

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a hematologist (blood doctor).

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Pregnancy: Anemia is common. Prenatal vitamins and iron help.
• Children: Toddlers who drink lots of cow's milk can get low iron.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most anemia improves once the cause is treated.

Myths and facts

Getting ready for your visit

Track bleeding.

What to bring

• Period details, if you have periods
• Medicine list

Questions to ask

• What's causing my anemia?
• How long until I feel better?
• Do I need more tests?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Anemia (low red blood cells)