Anemia occurs when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. There are many types, each with different causes.
Key Insight
Hemoglobin alone doesn't tell you why you're anemic. Ferritin and MCV together reveal whether it's iron deficiency (low ferritin, low MCV), B12 deficiency (normal ferritin, high MCV), or chronic disease.
Core diagnostic markers for anemia. These are used to diagnose and monitor your condition.
The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Low hemoglobin defines anemia.
Percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells.
Mean corpuscular volume - average size of red blood cells. Helps determine anemia type.
Total number of red blood cells.
Anemia affects multiple body systems. Monitor these to catch complications early.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia worldwide
Best indicator of iron stores. Low ferritin confirms iron deficiency even before anemia develops.
30-300 ng/mL (men), 15-200 ng/mL (women). Below 30 suggests deficiency
Serum iron level. Low in iron deficiency anemia.
60-170 mcg/dL
Total iron-binding capacity. High TIBC with low iron = iron deficiency.
250-370 mcg/dL
B12 and folate deficiencies cause macrocytic anemia (large red blood cells)
Needed for red blood cell production. Deficiency causes neurological symptoms too.
200-900 pg/mL. Below 200 = deficiency
Essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation.
Above 3 ng/mL
Anemia of chronic disease is caused by inflammation from infections, cancer, or autoimmune conditions
Elevated in anemia of chronic disease. Distinguishes it from iron deficiency.
Kidney disease causes anemia due to decreased EPO production.
Above 60 (no CKD)
Anemia is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Finding the cause is essential - is it iron deficiency from blood loss? B12 deficiency from absorption issues? Chronic disease? Kidney disease? Each has different treatment.
Understanding how anemia connects to other conditions helps you see the bigger picture.
When you select Anemia as your health focus, these categories are prioritized in your dashboard:
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