Understanding and Getting Tested for Anemia: A Comprehensive Guide

Anemia occurs when the red blood count in your blood is low. This can be serious since red blood cells carry oxygen to your organs and body parts. Over time, if your body parts and organs don't receive enough oxygen, your body won't function properly. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, dizziness and cold or numb fingers and hands. If you think you're anemic, you should be tested.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your care provider if you suspect you're anemic. A simple blood test determines whether or not you have anemia.

• 2

  Be prepared for other tests. Your doctor has to find out what's causing the anemia. Anemia can be caused by iron deficiencies, vitamin B-12 (folic acid) deficiencies, diseases that impact the production of red blood cells and inherited blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia.

• 3

  Follow-up with treatment plans. If you're anemic, treatments depend on which kind of anemia you have. Iron deficiencies and vitamin B-12 deficiencies are the most common and the easiest to fix with the addition of vitamins and a change of diet. If you are pregnant, iron deficiencies are extremely common, especially with multiple births.

• 4

  Prevent anemia from vitamin and mineral deficiencies by following a healthy diet that includes foods rich in iron and vitamin B-12. Foods high in iron include red meats, eggs, and green leafy vegetables. Foods high in vitamin B-12 include fortified wheat products, green leafy vegetables and poultry.