What indicators are used to diagnose anemia?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 08, 2024
00:00
00:00

To determine if someone is anemic, we should look at the red blood cell count and hemoglobin level in a complete blood count. Currently, hemoglobin level is the commonly used indicator clinically. Normal hemoglobin levels are 110~150g/L for women and 120~160g/L for men. Anemia is diagnosed when the hemoglobin level falls below the normal range. Based on the amount of hemoglobin, anemia can be classified into very severe, severe, moderate, or mild. Hemoglobin levels above 90g/L indicate mild anemia, levels between 60~90g/L indicate moderate anemia, levels between 30~60g/L indicate severe anemia, and levels below 30g/L indicate very severe anemia.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
49sec home-news-image

Can anemia cause fever?

Patients with severe anemia may exhibit low-grade fever due to the severity of the anemia, where the fever generally does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius, mostly hovering around 37.5 degrees Celsius. Besides, if a patient with anemia develops high fever above 38 degrees Celsius, even reaching around 39 degrees Celsius, it is crucial to be vigilant about a possible secondary infection due to poor resistance from anemia. It is important to actively search for the source of infection, complete tests such as inflammatory markers, CT scans, and ultrasound imaging, and, once an infectious fever is suspected, to initiate aggressive anti-infection treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
1min 4sec home-news-image

What to eat for postpartum anemia

In general, if anemia occurs postpartum, it is recommended to undergo further examination to understand the specific causes of postpartum anemia, and then to treat the condition accordingly. If iron deficiency anemia occurs postpartum, it is necessary to promptly supplement iron to correct the anemia symptomatically. If the anemia is due to a lack of certain vitamins leading to megaloblastic anemia, it still requires specific oral medication treatment based on the underlying cause. During the treatment process, it is also necessary to closely monitor the specific recovery from anemia after taking oral medications. If anemia persists without relief, further examinations are needed to exclude the possibility of blood system diseases causing the anemia. (Medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
45sec home-news-image

The hazards of anemia in pregnant women

Firstly, the occurrence of anemia during pregnancy is very common, and most cases are mild anemia, but a small proportion can be severe. The harm of anemia comes from two aspects: one is that it is harmful to the fetus, as anemia during pregnancy can affect the intellectual development of the fetus, which is very clear. Another harm comes from the mother, such as the possibility of postpartum hemorrhage or infection. If a cesarean section is performed, our hemoglobin must not be lower than 80 grams. If it is below 80 grams, a blood transfusion or intraoperative blood preparation is needed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
56sec home-news-image

How is anemia treated?

For any type of anemia, if the anemia is severe, there is a need for active transfusion of red blood cells to correct the anemia. However, anemia can reoccur after transfusion of red blood cells, and it is not a long-term solution. Therefore, after correcting anemia with red blood cell transfusion, it is still necessary to diagnose the specific cause of the anemia and treat it accordingly. For example, patients with iron deficiency anemia need iron supplementation, those with megaloblastic anemia need to be supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12, and patients with acute blood loss anemia need to find the source of bleeding and receive hemostatic treatment. Anemia caused by malignant hematological disorders like acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes requires anti-tumor treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
54sec home-news-image

Baby's anemia symptoms

The clinical manifestations of anemia in children mainly appear in the following aspects: Pale skin and mucous membranes, such as pale complexion, conjunctivae, or nails, and in more severe cases, the skin may appear waxen yellow. Anemia also affects bodily systems, leading to increased respiration and heart rate, and impacting digestive functions, evident in reduced appetite, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, there may be abdominal bloating and constipation. Additionally, there may be poor tongue coating, with some instances of glossitis and atrophy of the tongue papillae. Furthermore, there are manifestations related to mental and neurological aspects, such as poor memory and lack of concentration in children. Older children may experience symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and vertigo.