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Anemia is typically diagnosed on a complete blood count. Apart from reporting the number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin level, the automatic counters also measure the size of the red blood cells by flow cytometry , which is an important tool in distinguishing between the causes of anemia.
Anemia is not a diagnosis on its own, but it points to an underlying condition affecting the person's red blood cells. [88] General causes of anemia include blood loss, production of defective red blood cells (ineffective erythropoeisis), decreased production of red blood cells (insufficient erythropoeisis), and increased destruction of red ...
Red blood cells normally survive an average of about 120 days, becoming damaged (their oxygen-carrying capacity becomes compromised) as they age. Dr. Jeff Hersh explains what causes anemia and ...
Further studies will be undertaken to determine the anemia's cause. If the anemia is due to iron deficiency, one of the first abnormal values to be noted on a complete blood count, as the body's iron stores begin to be depleted, will be a high red blood cell distribution width, reflecting an increased variability in the size of red blood cells.
Before iron deficiency anemia sets in, “the body will do everything it can to retain the right number of red blood cells. So, it will deplete the storage iron before it depletes the red blood ...
When suspected, diagnosis is made by blood tests initially a complete blood count, and occasionally, bone marrow tests. [6] Blood tests may show fewer but larger red blood cells, low numbers of young red blood cells, low levels of vitamin B 12, and antibodies to intrinsic factor. [6] Diagnosis is not always straightforward and can be ...
Examination of a peripheral blood smear and some other laboratory studies can contribute to the diagnosis. Symptoms of hemolytic anemia include those that can occur in all anemias as well as the specific consequences of hemolysis. All anemias can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased ability to exercise when severe.
Symptoms of severe or rapid-onset anemia are very dangerous as the body is unable to adjust to the lack of hemoglobin. This may result in shock and death. Mild and moderate anemia have symptoms that develop slowly over time.[5] If patients believe that they are at risk for or experience symptoms of anemia, they should contact their doctor. [8]