Anaemia is classically defined as having insufficient levels of healthy hemoglobin and/or red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Though there are several types of anaemia, iron-deficiency related anaemia is the most common. So, if you think you might be under minimum levels and so that you know more about this disease and how to tell if you have it, we present this article on how to know if I have anaemia.
When trying to know if you have anaemia, the only way to determine it is through a blood test that will require an extraction that allows to know your hemoglobin values. When talking about normal levels of iron we can say that they are between the following levels:
- Between 4 and 5.2 million/mm³ red blood cells in women
- Between 4.5 and 5.9/mm³ red blood cells in men
In this way, if your values of red blood cells are below these numbers, you probably have anaemia.
It's fundamental to point out that in many occasions anaemia is asymptomatic, meaning that there are no signals that can give evidence that your levels of red blood cells are below minimum. It's possible that you are detected with anaemia through a routine test, as iron values always show up in blood analysis.
One of the symptoms of anaemia is manifested through the muscles: early muscle fatigue which constitutes a protective mechanism against excessive consumption of oxygen in the tissues.
However, in other occasions there are certain symptoms that are related to lack of iron in blood that can trigger your alarm. Therefore, it's possible you think you have anaemia if you feel tired or fatigued easily, without having done any excess effort. Moreover, it's possible that you feel concentration problems that will make it difficult to develop daily activities such as working or studying.
The descent in hemoglobin can also create whiteness of the face, due to the notable reduction of red blood cells and the closure of blood vessels that's produced due to the affection. Some people can also notice weight loss - more or less evident - due to anaemia.
It's also common for people who suffer from anaemia to feel headache, but also frequent dizziness or vertigo, that if accompanied by the rest of possible alterations in vision can cause fainting and loss of consciousness.
On the other hand, those who suffer from anaemia, there are other manifestations that are present in the cardiovascular system that include:
- Tachycardia
- Palpitations
- Loss of air
- Bruit
Although there are several types of anaemia, iron deficiency is certainly the most common and, in some cases, it can be solved by changing your diet habits and opting for an iron-rich diet. This is why we recommend you consult your doctor about the treatment to follow against anaemia and take a look at these articles:
- What to eat if you are anemic
- Can I drink green tea if I have anaemia?
- The best recipes that are high in iron
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How To Know If I Have Anaemia - Signs And Symptoms, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
- The CBC is the test that confirms the diagnosis, before these symptoms please consult your doctor.