Anemia is a condition that occurs when a person's blood doesn't carry enough oxygen. Anemia can happen if the body:
- Doesn't have enough iron
- Doesn't make enough red blood cells
- Makes unhealthy red blood cells
Anemia can happen to men or women. But anemia is most common in women of childbearing age, older adults, and infants younger than 2 years of age. Symptoms of anemia include:
- Weakness or extreme tiredness
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Pale, cracked skin
- Difficult or painful swallowing
- Dizziness
- Brain damage and behavioral problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin levels are too low. Blood transfusions are often given to increase hemoglobin levels. The healthy red blood cells you receive during a transfusion give you more hemoglobin, which helps your blood carry more oxygen. This is one reason people with anemia feel better after they receive a transfusion.
If you have anemia and have had 10 or more transfusions during your lifetime, then you may be at risk for iron overload.
Here are some things you can do to help take control of your health and help protect yourself from iron overload:
- Learn about how iron overload affects your body
- Keep track of the number of transfusions you've had and know if you're at risk for iron overload. Remember, 10 or more transfusions put you at risk for iron overload
- Talk with your doctor about your risk for iron overload
- Get tested. Ask your doctor about a simple blood test called the serum ferritin test
- Know your iron levels. If your iron level continues to be over 1000 mcg/L (micrograms per liter), you have iron overload
If you think you're at risk, be sure to talk with your doctor about getting screened for iron overload.
