Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-22
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
What is anemia? What are the key indicators? What are its symptoms and dietary recommendations? Bowtie has invited Dr. Leung Wing-kwan (Pediatrics Specialist) to explain in detail.
What is Anemia? Key Indicators Explained
The most common cause of anemia is insufficient nutrient intake, particularly iron, which is the essential raw material for producing hemoglobin. Some people might think that simply taking supplements can resolve anemia symptoms, but anemia can actually be a sign of an underlying illness. Therefore, it’s crucial to identify the cause of anemia and address it for effective treatment.
Mild anemia often goes unnoticed due to the absence of obvious symptoms. For moderate to severe anemia, if it develops gradually, changes in complexion and body might not be very apparent. Often, it’s friends who notice a poor complexion and prompt individuals to seek medical attention.
Chronic Anemia: Symptoms are not obvious, but may include fatigue, lack of energy, decreased physical stamina, and symptoms like dizziness and shortness of breath.
Acute Anemia: Symptoms are more sudden and pronounced, including a rapid change to a pale complexion, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, or feeling faint.
Definition: Hemoglobin levels below 13.0 g/dL for adult males and below 12.0 g/dL for non-pregnant females. For children, hemoglobin levels vary with age; infants and young children have slightly lower reference values than adults, around 11.0 g/dL.
Understanding Different Types of Anemia
Iron-Deficiency Anemia: This is the most common cause of anemia. Insufficient iron can be due to (1) inadequate intake or (2) chronic blood loss, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or iron loss during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Thalassemia: A common inherited anemia in Hong Kong. Mild carriers may show no symptoms, but severe cases can lead to significant anemia in infancy, requiring regular blood transfusions and other treatments.
Aplastic Anemia: A rare blood production disorder where the body’s immune system malfunctions and destroys the stem cells in the bone marrow that produce blood, leading to a decrease in red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.
Pernicious Anemia: Anemia caused by the body’s inability to effectively absorb vitamin B12.
Hemolytic Anemia: Red blood cells have a shorter lifespan than normal and are destroyed prematurely. G6PD deficiency (commonly known as favism) is a relatively common inherited hemolytic disorder in Hong Kong. Patients with hemolytic anemia may experience jaundice in addition to a pale complexion.
Common Symptoms of Anemia
- Weakness, fatigue
- Decreased physical stamina, shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Pale complexion
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Poor appetite and weight gain in infants and young children, irritability, and crying
Is Anemia Hereditary? Are You High Risk?
Anemia patients are mostly those with iron-deficiency anemia and thalassemia. Besides genetic factors, anemia can also be closely related to lifestyle habits and physical conditions.
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- Infants and young children
- Adolescents
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Vegetarians, picky eaters
- Elderly
Can Anemia Cause Low Blood Pressure? Complications Overview
- Both anemia and low blood pressure can cause dizziness, but they are not the same. Blood pressure is the pressure generated by the heart’s output plus the resistance within the blood vessels; anemia, on the other hand, is a thinning of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.
- Pregnant women: Higher risk of premature birth or low birth weight infants
- Severe anemia can lead to heart failure
- Pernicious anemia can cause problems beyond anemia, leading to nerve damage
- Aplastic anemia can lead to severe infections due to bleeding and weakened immunity
1-Minute At-Home Anemia Check
Stand in front of a mirror, pull down your lower eyelids, and observe their color; or pull down your lower lip to check the color of your gums and inner lip lining. If they appear pale and lack color, consult your family doctor. Some cases may require referral to a hematologist for follow-up.
Professional Diagnosis of Anemia
To diagnose anemia, doctors typically inquire about the patient’s medical history, including dietary habits, and perform a physical examination and blood tests. Blood samples are sent to a laboratory for testing. A complete blood count (FBC) measures hemoglobin levels and the number of each type of blood cell, as well as the size of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell. After diagnosing anemia, further investigations are planned based on the clinical condition and blood count results to determine the cause and establish treatment.
How to Boost Iron Through Diet? Treating and Preventing Iron-Deficiency Anemia
1. Oral Iron Supplements
Oral iron supplements are the most common method for treating iron-deficiency anemia. An increase in new red blood cells in the blood is usually observed within a week of starting supplementation. If there is a poor response after several weeks of oral iron supplements, other issues may need to be considered, such as poor medication adherence or ongoing blood loss.
Generally, treatment requires several months to fully replenish the body’s iron stores. Patience and consistent adherence to medication are crucial. Constipation is a common side effect; ensure adequate intake of fruits and vegetables to maintain regular bowel movements. It is important to note that excessive iron intake in a short period carries a risk of poisoning, so do not self-medicate.
2. Iron Injections (Only for a Few Severe Cases of Iron-Deficiency Anemia)
Reserved for patients who cannot use oral iron supplements or for whom oral iron supplements are ineffective. Injectable iron is more likely to cause allergic reactions than oral iron.
3. Increase Iron Intake
Enhance iron intake in your daily diet by consuming more red meat, lean meat, iron-rich vegetables, and legumes. Since iron from plant-based foods requires vitamin C for absorption, consume foods rich in vitamin C (such as oranges, tangerines, kiwis, tomatoes, broccoli, etc.) along with these foods.
4. Introducing Solid Foods for Infants
After birth, babies rely on sufficient iron intake to support their growth and blood production. To prevent iron-deficiency anemia in infants, the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. After six months, gradually introduce various foods (called complementary foods), including iron-rich foods suitable for infants, such as chicken, beef, liver, and egg yolks.
5. Tea, Coffee, and Wine Hinder Absorption
Certain beverages can affect iron absorption, such as tea, coffee, and wine, which contain high levels of tannic acid. Tannic acid binds with non-heme iron, reducing its solubility and hindering absorption. Therefore, patients with iron-deficiency anemia should avoid consuming these beverages within two hours before or after meals.
6. Avoid Taking Calcium and Iron Simultaneously
Calcium and iron can be supplemented together, but not at the same time. Both calcium and iron are divalent ions and compete for absorption in the small intestine, affecting each other’s absorption.
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