Anemia what is a normal level

Anemia is not a diagnosis; it is a manifestation of an underlying disorder. Anemia has many risk factors. For example, a vegan diet predisposes to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia Megaloblastic Macrocytic Anemias Megaloblastic anemias result most often from deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate.

Ineffective hematopoiesis affects all cell lines but particularly red blood cells. Diagnosis is usually based A number of hemoglobinopathies Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease a hemoglobinopathy causes a chronic hemolytic anemia occurring almost exclusively in blacks. It is caused by homozygous inheritance of genes for hemoglobin Hb S. Cancer, rheumatic disorders, and chronic inflammatory disorders can suppress red cell production. The symptoms of anemia are neither sensitive nor specific and do not help differentiate between types of anemias.

Symptoms reflect compensatory responses to tissue hypoxia and usually develop when the hemoglobin level falls well below the patient's individual baseline. Symptoms are generally more pronounced in patients with limited cardiopulmonary reserve or in whom the anemia developed very rapidly.

Symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, angina, syncope, and dyspnea on exertion can indicate anemia. Vertigo, headache, pulsatile tinnitus, amenorrhea, loss of libido, and gastrointestinal GI complaints may also occur. Heart failure or shock can develop in patients with severe tissue hypoxia or hypovolemia. Certain symptoms may suggest the cause of the anemia.

For example, melena, epistaxis, hematochezia, hematemesis, or menorrhagia indicates bleeding. Jaundice and dark urine, in the absence of liver disease, suggest hemolysis. Weight loss may suggest cancer. Diffuse severe bone or chest pain may suggest sickle cell disease Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease a hemoglobinopathy causes a chronic hemolytic anemia occurring almost exclusively in blacks.

Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia, damage A complete physical examination is necessary. Signs of anemia itself are neither sensitive nor specific; however, pallor is common with severe anemia. Signs of underlying disorders are more diagnostically accurate than are signs of anemia. Heme-positive stool identifies gastrointestinal bleeding Overview of Gastrointestinal Bleeding Gastrointestinal GI bleeding can originate anywhere from the mouth to the anus and can be overt or occult.

The manifestations depend on the location and rate of bleeding. See also Varices Hemorrhagic shock Shock Shock is a state of organ hypoperfusion with resultant cellular dysfunction and death. Mechanisms may involve decreased circulating volume, decreased cardiac output, and vasodilation, sometimes Jaundice Jaundice Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia. You might be referred to a specialist dietitian if you're finding it hard to include iron in your diet.

In pregnancy, iron deficiency anaemia is most often caused by a lack of iron in your diet. Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Heavy periods can be treated with medicine. For men and for women whose periods have stopped, bleeding in the stomach and intestines is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia.

This can be caused by:. Any other conditions or actions that cause blood loss could also lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Page last reviewed: 29 January Next review due: 29 January To find the cause of your iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may order additional tests:. Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia will depend on its cause and severity. Treatments may include iron supplements, procedures, surgery, and dietary changes. Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require intravenous IV iron therapy or a blood transfusion.

Your doctor may recommend that you take iron supplements, also called iron pills or oral iron, by mouth once or several times a day to increase the iron in your body. This is the most common treatment for iron deficiency. It generally takes three to six months to replenish your iron stores.

Iron supplements are sometimes recommended by your doctor during pregnancy. If your condition is caused by certain rare genetic conditions, such as a TMRPSS6 gene mutation, you may not respond to oral iron supplements.

Iron supplements are generally not recommended for people who do not have iron-deficiency anemia. This is because too much iron can damage your organs. Do not stop taking your prescribed iron supplements without first talking to your doctor. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing side effects such as a bad metallic taste, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.

Your doctor may be able to recommend options such as taking your supplements with food, lowering the dose, trying a different type of iron supplement, or receiving intravenous IV iron. If iron supplements alone are not able to replenish the levels of iron in your body, your doctor may recommend a procedure, including:.

If you have chronic kidney disease and iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend erythropoiesis stimulating agents esa. These medicines stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. ESAs are usually used with iron therapy or IV iron, or when iron therapy alone is not enough. After being diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, it is important to follow your treatment plan. Your doctor may recommend additional follow-up care and lifestyle changes to avoid complications.

Your doctor may be able to recommend options such as taking your supplement with food, lowering the dose, trying a different type of iron supplement, or receiving intravenous IV iron. You may have fatigue and other symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia until your iron levels return to normal, which can take months. Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, especially if you experience chest pain or feel like your heart is beating irregularly.

Tell any doctors you see for other conditions that you have iron-deficiency anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia can make other conditions, such as HIV, worse or harder to treat. Tell your doctor what medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines or other supplements.

Iron supplements can change how certain medicines work. Your doctor may suggest check-ups to make sure your iron and hemoglobin levels are improving and staying at healthy levels.

Your doctor may:. To prevent complications from iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend heart-healthy eating and choosing iron-rich foods, especially during certain stages of life when more iron is needed, such as childhood and pregnancy. Good sources of iron are meat, poultry, fish, and iron-fortified foods that have iron added. Vegetarian diets can provide enough iron if you choose nonmeat sources of iron, including iron-fortified breads and cereals, beans, tofu, dried fruits, and spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables.

You can also take an iron supplement. Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, especially if you experience chest pain or feel your heart is beating irregularly.

Talk to your doctor about returning to everyday activities. Because iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel weak, you should be cautious when resuming certain activities, such as physical activity.

Older adults, who are more likely to fall, should be especially cautious when resuming activities. We are committed to advancing science and translating discoveries into clinical practice to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders, including iron-deficiency anemia.

Learn about the current and future NHLBI efforts to improve health through research and scientific discovery. Learn about the following ways that NHLBI continues to translate current research into improved health for people with iron-deficiency anemia. In support of our mission , we are committed to advancing research on anemia, in part through the following ways.

We lead or sponsor many studies related to iron-deficiency anemia. See if you or someone you know is eligible to participate in our clinical trials. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials. Visit Children and Clinical Studies to hear experts, parents, and children talk about their experiences with clinical research. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia that occurs if you do not have enough iron in your body.

More severe iron-deficiency anemia may cause fatigue or tiredness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. If your doctor diagnoses you with iron-deficiency anemia, your treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the condition. Your doctor may recommend healthy eating changes, iron supplements, intravenous iron therapy for mild to moderate iron-deficiency anemia, or red blood cell transfusion for severe iron-deficiency anemia.

You may need to address the cause of your iron deficiency, such as any underlying bleeding. If undiagnosed or untreated, iron-deficiency anemia can cause serious complications, including heart failure and development delays in children.

Explore this Health Topic to learn more about iron-deficiency anemia, our role in research and clinical trials to improve health, and where to find more information.

Causes - Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Blood loss. Common causes of blood loss that lead to iron-deficiency anemia include: Bleeding in your GI tract, from an ulcer, colon cancer, or regular use of medicines such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS , such as ibuprofen and naproxen Certain rare genetic conditions such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which causes bleeding in the bowels Frequent blood donation Frequent blood tests, especially in infants and small children Heavy menstrual periods Injury or surgery Urinary tract bleeding.

Consuming less than recommended daily amounts of iron. Recommended daily iron intake for children and adults. The table lists the recommended amounts of iron, in milligrams mg at different ages and stages of life.

Until the teen years, the recommended amount of iron is the same for boys and girls. From birth to 6 months, babies need 0. This number goes up to 11 mg for children ages 7 to 12 months, and down to 7 mg for children ages 1 to 3.

From ages 4 to 8, children need 10 mg, and from ages 9 to 13, 8 mg. From ages 14 to 18, boys need 11 mg, while girls need 15 mg. From ages 19 to 50, men need 8 mg and women need 18 mg. After age 51, both men and women need 8 mg. Pregnant women need 27 mg.

Breastfeeding girls under age 18 need 10 mg while breastfeeding women older than 18 need 9 mg. Problems absorbing iron. You may need to take iron supplements for several months or longer to replenish your iron reserves. Generally, you'll start to feel better after a week or so of treatment.

Ask your doctor when to have your blood rechecked to measure your iron levels. To be sure that your iron reserves are replenished, you may need to take iron supplements for a year or more. If iron supplements don't increase your blood-iron levels, it's likely the anemia is due to a source of bleeding or an iron-absorption problem that your doctor will need to investigate and treat. Depending on the cause, iron deficiency anemia treatment may involve:. If iron deficiency anemia is severe, you may need iron given intravenously or you may need blood transfusions to help replace iron and hemoglobin quickly.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs and symptoms that worry you. If you're diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, you may need tests to look for a source of blood loss, including tests to examine your gastrointestinal tract.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together.

For iron deficiency anemia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on.

Your doctor may ask:.