By Mojibola OrefujaToday, I want to talk about a condition I know all too well: anaemia. I recently found myself in the hospital after receiving a message from my GP saying that my blood levels were dangerously low. At first, I didn’t believe it. Yes, I’d been experiencing symptoms, but I had lived with those for so long that I assumed it couldn’t be anything urgent. It turns out I was wrong. After going to A&E, I was told by the doctors that I would need to stay in the hospital overnight, stating that if they sent me home without treatment, it could lead to serious damage to my body. That moment made me realise something important: although anaemia is often seen as a mild and manageable condition, if left untreated, it can become severe and even dangerous. It’s generally treatable, yes, but only if you catch it in time. This blog post is really just to raise more awareness to take anaemia more seriously, because it can quickly change the course of your day if not.
What Is Anaemia?
Anaemia is incredibly common, affecting roughly 30% of the global population. The most prevalent type is iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), which affects over one billion people worldwide. In the UK alone, IDA accounts for around 57,000 emergency hospital admissions each year and makes up 10% of referrals to gastrointestinal specialists for further investigations like endoscopy and colonoscopy [1].
So what exactly is anaemia? At its core, anaemia means your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and transports it around your body. (Take a look at the previous Blood Chronicle posts for more info on Haemoglobin and Red Blood Cells).
Anaemia can happen for several reasons: your body might not be making enough red blood cells, it might be destroying them too quickly, or you could be losing blood slowly over time (or rapidly in severe cases).
Haemoglobin levels are considered normal if they fall within these ranges [2]:
- Men: 130–180 g/L
- Women: 120–160 g/L
You’re classified as anaemic if your levels fall below these thresholds: <130 g/L for men and <120 g/L for women [2]. While some people function relatively well just below the normal range, others with much lower levels (like myself) may require urgent intervention. When anaemia begins to cause symptoms, treatment becomes essential. However, the best course of treatment depends heavily on what’s causing the condition in the first place.
Types of Anaemia
Anaemia can result from different underlying mechanisms. Here are some of the most common types:
- Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA)IDA occurs when your body lacks enough iron to produce sufficient haemoglobin. This can happen for several reasons:
- Not eating enough iron-rich foods
- Poor absorption of iron due to stomach issues (like coeliac disease or chronic inflammation)
- Blood loss from conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding
- Increased iron requirements, particularly during growth spurts or pregnancy
- Vitamin Deficiency AnaemiaThis type involves low levels of key vitamins needed for red blood cell production, especially vitamin B12 and folate. Causes may include:
- Inadequate intake from diet
- Poor absorption due to gut problems
- Increased demand during pregnancy or certain illnesses [3]
- Haemolytic AnaemiaIn this type, red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. It can be due to inherited conditions or acquired ones, such as autoimmune diseases. In some cases, the body mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells, causing their breakdown.
- Anaemia of Chronic DiseaseThis type is associated with long-term medical conditions like chronic kidney disease, tuberculosis, heart failure, or malnutrition. While the exact mechanism isn’t always clear, managing the underlying illness often improves the anaemia.
- Alcohol-Related AnaemiaChronic excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells, contributing to anaemia.
Other notable types include Sickle Cell Anaemia, Thalassaemia, and Immune Haemolytic Anaemia. These are usually inherited and require lifelong medical attention.
Signs and Symptoms
Anaemia doesn’t always produce obvious symptoms at first. But as the condition worsens, people often experience:
- Pale skin
- Tiredness and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Heart palpitations
- Cold hands and feet
- Unusual cravings for non-food substances (a condition known as pica) – such as ice, soil, or soap
- Hair thinning or hair loss
If you’re experiencing any combination of these symptoms, it’s essential to visit your doctor and request a blood test. Anaemia may have a simple fix, but it needs to be diagnosed to be treated effectively.
Treatment
Treatment for anaemia depends entirely on the underlying cause. In very severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required immediately to raise haemoglobin levels and stabilise the patient before addressing the root problem. After stabilisation, more specific treatments are initiated:
- Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Treated with iron supplements – either oral tablets or intravenous infusions, depending on how well the patient absorbs iron and the severity of the deficiency.
- Vitamin Deficiency Anaemia: Folate or B12 deficiencies are corrected with the relevant supplements. For instance, folic acid tablets are typically prescribed for around three months to treat folate deficiency.
- Anaemia of Chronic Disease: Here, treatment focuses on managing the chronic illness itself. For example, in people with chronic kidney disease, specific medications or hormone therapies might be used to support red blood cell production.
- Haemolytic Anaemia or Inherited Forms: These may require more specialised treatments, such as medications to suppress the immune system, regular blood transfusions, or even bone marrow transplants in very severe cases.
In many cases, lifestyle changes – like improving diet, reducing alcohol intake, or treating gastrointestinal disorders – can also play a key role in managing anaemia and preventing it from returning.
Conclusion
Anaemia may sound like a simple blood condition, but it is far more complex and potentially serious than many people realise. My personal experience served as a wake-up call to take symptoms seriously, no matter how “normal” they might begin to feel.
Understanding the different causes and types of anaemia helps highlight how important it is to diagnose it correctly and tailor treatment to each individual. From iron and vitamin deficiencies to chronic illnesses and inherited conditions, anaemia can arise from many sources but the good news is that most cases are treatable with timely intervention.
If you suspect you may have anaemia, don’t ignore the signs. A simple blood test can make all the difference between ongoing fatigue and a full recovery. Listen to your body and act early.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Anaemia – Iron deficiency. [Internet]. BMJ Best Practice; 2022. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency/background-information/prevalence/
- BMJ Best Practice. Anaemia overview. [Internet]. Available from: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/94
- Patient.info. Anaemia – Overview and Causes. [Internet]. Available from: https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/anaemia-leaflet