Blood Testing
Anaemia Profile
What Is Anaemia?
Anaemia is a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. This can lead to feelings of tiredness, weakness, and other symptoms. It is a common condition and can be caused by various factors, such as nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, or blood loss. It affects about 3% of males and 8% females in the UK
Types Of Anaemia
There are different types of anaemia, and the cause can vary:
- Iron-deficiency anaemia: The most common type, caused by a lack of iron in the diet, blood loss, or an inability to absorb iron.
- Vitamin B12 or Folate-deficiency anaemia: Caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folate, both important for red blood cell production.
- Aplastic anaemia: A rare condition where the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells.
- Anaemia of chronic disease: Caused by long-term medical conditions like kidney disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Sickle cell anaemia: A genetic disorder that causes abnormal red blood cells, leading to their early destruction.
Symptoms & Causes Of Anaemia
The signs and symptoms of anaemia can vary depending on the severity and cause, but common symptoms include:
-Fatigue or weakness
-Pale or sallow skin
-Shortness of breath or dizziness
-Cold hands and feet
-Chest pain or rapid heartbeat (in severe cases)
-Headaches
Causes of Anaemia Anaemia can develop for a number of reasons, including:
-Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folate can result in anaemia.
-Chronic diseases: Conditions like kidney disease, cancer, or inflammatory disorders may interfere with red blood cell production.
-Blood loss: Heavy menstrual periods, gastrointestinal bleeding (such as ulcers), or injury can lead to anaemia.
-Genetic conditions: Inherited disorders like sickle cell anaemia or thalassemia can cause anaemia.
Diagnosis
Anaemia is diagnosed through blood tests, which measure the number and quality of red
blood cells in your blood. If anaemia is confirmed, further tests may be conducted to determine the underlying cause.
Our Anaemia Profile tests for:
- Vitamin B12
- Folate (serum)
- Ferritin
- Iron
- Full Blood Count
Book your appointment with M&D Green today and let our expert pharmacists support you in managing your health!
