Anemia
What the test generally measures, and what to ask about it.
Longetic keeps every lab and record you’ve had organized and easy to find, so your own Anemia values sit together on one chart and you walk into your next appointment prepared.
What is Anemia?
A condition in which the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body.
If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction. Conditions that may lead to anemia include: heavy periods, pregnancy, ulcers, colon polyps or colon cancer, inherited disorders, a diet that does not have enough iron, folic acid or vitamin B12, and blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
Tests often checked alongside this
How this can show up in how you look and feel
- Pale skin
- Fatigue and low energy
- Shortness of breath or dizziness
- Cold hands and feet
- Mild anemia can be present with few or no noticeable symptoms
What can affect this marker
- Iron, B12 and folate intake
- Blood loss, including periods
- Chronic disease or inflammation
- Genetics and inherited conditions
What to track over time
- Hemoglobin trend across tests
- Fatigue and breathlessness patterns
- Response to treatment or supplements
- Related iron and vitamin markers
What to ask your doctor
- What type of anemia do I have?
- What's the underlying cause?
- Do I need iron or vitamin supplements?
- When should I retest my levels?
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Terms of Use.
References
About our sources
Official sources
Government health agencies, national institutes, and intergovernmental bodies whose guidelines carry regulatory or policy weight.
Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.