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How do I know if I'm anemic?
Since iron deficiency anemia develops slowly, it can be
difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms, but can
interfere with a person’s quality of life, even when the
condition is mild.
Anemia symptoms (1, 3, 4) can include: |
|
 Pale skin color |
Irritability |
| Fatigue |
Headache (frontal) |
| Shortness of breath |
Decreased appetite
(especially in children) |
Numbness or coldness
in hands or feet |
|
| Dizziness |
| Sore tongue |
| Brittle nails |
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| Common tests to diagnose (1,3) |
The diagnosis of iron deficiency is based on symptoms, medical
history, a physical exam and a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC
is a common blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect
a variety of disorders, such as anemia, infection and leukemia. The
test measures: |
Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from
the lungs to body tissues |
Hematocrit, the percentage of blood volume made up of red
blood cells |
| White blood cells, which help fight infection |
| Platelets, which are essential to blood clotting |
Some of the blood sampled is commonly looked at under a microscope.
For example, red blood cells appear smaller and paler in color when a
patient has iron deficiency anemia. If a patient has vitamin deficiency
anemia, resulting from folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency, the red blood cells are enlarged and fewer in number.
Your healthcare provider may also order additional tests in order to de-
termine the underlying cause of anemia. There are conditions, other
than inadequate diet or blood losses that could cause iron deficiency anemia, such as kidney disease, cancer or cardiovascular disease. |
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