Anemia

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Quick Facts

  • Anemia is when you have low levels of red blood cells. It is a condition when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to effectively transport oxygen to your tissues.
  • Anemia occurs when there aren’t enough red blood cells available to distribute oxygen throughout the body efficiently, leading to improper functioning.
  • Red blood cells contain hemoglobin.
    • Hemoglobin is a crucial protein that binds to oxygen, aiding the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
    • Hemoglobin also facilitates the transfer of carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs for exhalation.
  • To determine if you have anemia a Complete Blood Count (CBC) will be ordered to evaluate Hemoglobin and Hematocrit and other parameters
  • General cutoffs to diagnose anemia:
    • Females: Hemoglobin < 11.5 g/dL or Hematocrit < 35%
    • Males: Hemoglobin < 13.5 g/dL or Hematocrit < 40%

Symptoms of anemia?

Symptoms of anemia can include: chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, frequent infections, heart palpitations, headaches, paleness of the skin, ringing in the ears, and shortness of breath.

Many causes of Aneima

ACQUIRED ANEMIAS 

Iron-Deficiency Anemia is the most preavelent type of anemia. This type of anemia can develop by not consuming enough iron in your diet or if you are having blood loss due to injury or illness.

There are many other types of Acuqire Anemias: Anemia of Chronic Disease, Autoimmune, Hemolytic anemia, Macrocytic anemia, Normocytic anemia, Perncious anemia and certain chronic diseases (ie Autoimmune disease, Cancer, Inflammatory bowel disease, Kidney disease, Liver disease, Thyroid disease)

INHERITED ANEMIAS

There are many type of Inherited Anemias: Diamond-Blackfan anemia, Fanconi anemia, Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia.

How to Diagnose Anemia

Your healthcare provider may order a Complete Blood Count (CBC), as well as additional studies depending on the supposed cause of the anemia.

  • Normal ranges
    • Female ~ Hemoglobin: 11.9-14.8, Hematocrit: 35-43%
    • Male ~ Hemoglobin: 13.6-16.9, Hematocrit: 40-50%
  • Normal ranges in Hemoglobin and Hematocrit can change:
    • Causes of Normal Range to have LOWER values
      • Pregnancy
        • Normal ranges in Pregnancy:
          • Hemoglobin > 11 in 1st Trimester
          • Hemoglobin > 10.5 in 2nd Trimester
          • Hemoglobin > 11 in 3rd Trimester
        • Older Age
        • Intense Physical Activity
      • Causes of Normal Range to have HIGHER values
        • Medications
        • Smoking
        • Hemoconcetration ~ this can be due to dehydration or hyovolemia related to vomiting or diarrhea
        • High altitude

    Treatment of Anemia 

    Treatment changes based on the cause of the anemia and other factors that are determined by your healthcare provider.

    For example, patients’ with Iron Deficiecny Anemia may benefit from Iron Supplements or IV Iron Transfusions. In an acute setting pending on the particular situation your healthcare provider may recommend a Blood Transfusion.

    Prevention

    You can provent Iron deficiency anemia by incoproating iron-rich foods in your diet.

    Examples of iron rich foods: Broccoli, Beef, Chicken, Eggs, Prunes, Peas, Oysters, Shrimp, Legumes (beans), Nuts, Spinach and through fortified foods (breads, cereals, cream of wheat, tofu)

Anemia During Pregnancy

Most common types of anemia affecting pregnant women include: Iron Deficiency Anemia (lack of iron), Folate deficiency anemia (lack of folic acid, Viamin B9), Vitamin B12 deficnency anemia (lack of Vitamin B12)

It is normal to experience mild anemia during pregnancy, however both mild and severe forms of anemia need to be addressed by your healthcare provider

What is the Normal Range values of Hemoglobin in Pregnancy?

NORMAL RANGE HEMOGLOBIN:

Non-pregnant: Hemoglobin 14+/-2

Pregnant: Hemoglobin ~~1st Trimester: 11 ~~2nd Trimester: 10.5 ~~3rd Trimester: 11

What is the most common reason for anemia in pregnancy?

The most common reason for Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy is due to physiological anemia (dilutional anemia).

Blood (plasma) volume exapnds by approximately 50% (1,000mL), whereas Red Blood Cell mass expands by approxiately 25% (300mL). This leads to dilutional anemia.

Other causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia include: Short interval pregnancy, not eating enough foods that enhance iron absorption, Foods that are basic such as dairy and soy products reduce iron absorption in the gut.

Who is at highest risk of developing anemia during pregnancy?

Short interval pregnancy, Not eating enough foods that enhance iron absorption, Not eating enough iron, Carrying multiple babies, Heavy menstrual flow prior to pregnancy and Frequent vomiting due ot morning sickness

Anemia can affect you and your baby throughout pregnancy and postpartum

Iron Deficiency Anemia is assocaited with incrase risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, perinatal mortality, and postpartum depression.

Management

Prenatal Vitamins contains 27mg of elemental iron, which meets the recommended daily dietary allowance.

Your healthcare provider may require additional iron supplementation.

Helpful tips: Increase absorption of oral iron by combining it with either Orange Juice, Cranberry juice or Vitamin C

 

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