Anaemia: When Should You Be Worried?

Feeling tired once in a while is normal.

If you are always tired, weak or short of breath it may be more than just being busy.

It could be anaemia.

Anaemia happens when your blood does not have healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to carry oxygen around your body.

When should you be worried?

Anaemia should not be ignored when:

• The tiredness does not go away
• If you feel very tired for weeks even after getting enough rest it is worth getting checked.
• You become breathless easily
• Feeling out of breath after activities that you used to do easily needs attention.
• You feel faint
• Frequent dizziness, feeling light-headed or passing out should be checked by a doctor.
• You have weight loss
• Anaemia along with unexplained weight loss should not be ignored.
• You notice bleeding
• Heavy periods, blood in the stool, dark stools, blood in the urine or other unexplained bleeding can cause anemia and need medical attention.

If you have been treated for anaemia but your haemoglobin continues to drop the real cause needs to be found.

Is anaemia always caused by iron deficiency?

No.

Iron deficiency is a cause but anaemia can also happen because of vitamin deficiencies, blood loss, long-term illnesses, problems with the kidneys or bone marrow and certain cancers.

That is why just taking iron tablets may not always solve the problem.

Can anaemia be linked to cancer?

Sometimes.

Some cancers can cause blood loss, affect how the body makes blood cells or lead to changes that result in anaemia.

Anaemia does not mean you have cancer.

Unexplained, severe or ongoing anaemia needs proper checking to find out why it is happening.

What tests may be needed?

Your doctor may suggest a blood test such, as a complete blood count (CBC).

Depending on the results and your symptoms more tests may be needed to find the cause.

Do not treat the number

A low haemoglobin level is a sign, not a diagnosis.

The important question is:

Why is your haemoglobin low?

Finding the cause early can help you get the treatment.

At MGM Cancer Institute

At MGM Cancer Institute our team of experts looks into ongoing blood issues to find the real cause and provide the right care.

If you have tiredness, unexplained anemia, unusual bleeding or other symptoms that worry you talk to a doctor instead of ignoring them.

DOCTOR DETAILS:
Dr. M. Gopinathan
Consultant
Hemato-Oncology(BMT)