Anemia Quiz
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Feeling faint
Malaise
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness
Pallor
Cold feet
Extreme fatigue
Pale skin
Tiredness
Fatigue after eating
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a disorder where the body's tissues don't receive enough oxygen due to a lack of healthy red blood cells. There are several types of anemia with various causes, the most common being iron-deficiency anemia, which results from insufficient iron. Iron is needed to produce hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen.
Typical Symptoms of Anemia
- Feel unsteady or floating when I am standing
- Dizziness
- Low red blood cell count on blood test
- Black, shiny stool
- Vomiting blood
- Feel lightheaded
- Currently pregnant
- Premenstrual symptoms like discomfort and irritability
Diagnostic Questions for Anemia
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you feel dizzy or floaty when standing?
- Do you feel dizzy?
- Do you have a low red blood cell count on your blood test?
- Have you had black, shiny stools?
- Have you vomited blood?
Treatment of Anemia
Treatment for anemia depends on the cause. In cases of iron deficiency anemia, iron may be taken orally as supplements or injected into the vein. Severe cases of anemia may require blood transfusions. Dietary modifications are necessary.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Nov 15, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Low red blood cell count on blood test
- Black poop
- Dizziness multiple times
- Blood vomit after repeatedly throwing up
- Last blood test showed anemia
- Off-balance like floating
- Abdominal pain
- Spinning feeling
- Low hemoglobin on recent blood test
- Blood in vomit after vomiting the second time
- A sense of motion or spinning (vertigo)
- Tarry stools
- Dizzy when standing up
- Blood in vomit after continuous bouts of vomitting
- Black shiny stool
See full list
User Testimonials for Anemia
Female, 20s
With Ubie's help, I realized what my symptoms meant and decided to contact my doctor, who confirmed I had Anemia. Ubie helped me receive a proper diagnosis and I feel much more at ease now.
(Feb 18, 2025)
Symptoms Related to Anemia
Diseases Related to Anemia
FAQs
Q.
Abnormal MCH? Why Your Blood Is Changing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Abnormal MCH signals a change in how much hemoglobin each red blood cell carries and most often reflects anemia from iron deficiency when low, or vitamin B12 or folate deficiency when high; symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, pale or yellowish skin, numbness, or memory issues. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Medically approved next steps include reviewing your full CBC, ordering iron studies if MCH is low and B12 and folate testing if it is high, assessing diet and absorption risks, and treating the underlying cause while seeking urgent care for red flags like chest pain, black or bloody stools, severe breathlessness, or neurological changes. Full, step by step guidance is provided below.
References:
* Gulley, M. L. (2014). Clinical utility of laboratory data: Complete blood count (CBC) and red cell indices. *Clinical Chemistry*, *60*(10), 1269-1279.
* Green, R., & D'Andrea, A. D. (2017). Macrocytic Anemia: A Clinical Approach. *The American Journal of Medicine*, *130*(5), 509-515.
* Lopez, A. (2017). Microcytic Anemia. *The American Journal of Medicine*, *130*(7), 770-776.
* Soo, J., Al-Jezairi, Z., & Lau, W. (2018). Diagnosis and treatment of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. *Canadian Medical Association Journal*, *190*(18), E556-E562.
* Pasricha, S. R., Tye-Din, J., & Muckenthaler, M. U. (2021). Iron deficiency anemia: diagnosis and management. *Lancet*, *397*(10270), 221-235.
Q.
Abnormal MCV? Why Your Blood Cells Change & Medical Next Steps
A.
Abnormal MCV means your red blood cells are too small or too large, most often from iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, blood loss, thyroid or liver disease, alcohol use, medications, or less commonly genetic or bone marrow conditions. Next steps usually include reviewing the full CBC plus iron studies, B12 and folate, thyroid and liver tests, and seeking urgent care for red flags like chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, rapid heart rate, or neurological symptoms. There are several factors to consider; see below for critical details that may change your plan, including when not to self-treat with iron and when to look for hidden bleeding.
References:
* Rahman, S., Das, A., & Dey, S. (2024). Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): A Systematic Review of its Diagnostic Utility in Various Medical Conditions. *Current Medical Research and Opinion, 40*(2), 297–308. doi:10.1080/03007995.2024.2307524
* Anand, N., & Vaynrub, M. (2022). Macrocytic Anemia: Etiologic Insights and Diagnostic Approach. *Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 36*(4), 651–667. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2022.04.004
* Riddell, J., & Higgins, J. M. (2021). Microcytic Anemia: Recent advances in diagnosis and management. *Best Practice & Research. Clinical Haematology, 34*(1), 101257. doi:10.1016/j.beha.2021.101257
* Butala, N., & Velez, M. (2018). Red Blood Cell Indices in Clinical Practice: A Comprehensive Review. *The American Journal of Medicine, 131*(1), e1-e11. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.07.036
* Stevenson, W., & Lewis, D. A. (2018). Diagnosis of Anaemia and Other Red Blood Cell Disorders in the Clinical Laboratory. *Cells, 7*(10), 163. doi:10.3390/cells7100163
Q.
Always Exhausted? Iron Deficiency Anemia & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Constant exhaustion is often caused by iron deficiency anemia, a common, diagnosable, and treatable condition; a doctor can confirm it with a CBC and ferritin, then guide iron supplementation, diet changes, follow-up testing, and evaluation for causes like heavy periods, hidden GI bleeding, poor absorption, or pregnancy. There are several factors to consider; see below for step by step next actions, absorption tips, and red flag symptoms that need urgent care. The complete answer below details who is at highest risk, which tests to request, how long treatment usually lasts, and why finding the underlying cause matters so you choose the right next steps for your health.
References:
* Lopez A, Cacoub P, Macdougall IC, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Iron deficiency anemia: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Am J Hematol. 2016 Oct;91(10):1141-1150. PMID: 27435103
* Kosem M. Guideline for the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2020 Mar;31(Suppl 1):S74-S80. PMID: 32242144
* Warner MJ, Johnson VL. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in adults: an update on diagnosis and management. Postgrad Med J. 2021 Jan;97(1143):27-37. PMID: 32205342
* Kraywinkel K, Schümann M, Stegmann M. Iron deficiency without anemia: a clinical challenge. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2022 Jan;147(1):31-35. PMID: 35026938
* Girelli D, Nemeth E, Swinkels DW. Oral and Intravenous Iron for Iron Deficiency Anemia. Blood. 2018 Dec 27;132(26):2756-2763. PMID: 30459196
Q.
Is Your Bone Marrow Failing? Aplastic Anemia & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Bone marrow failure from aplastic anemia is a rare but serious condition in which the marrow stops making enough red cells, white cells, and platelets, causing fatigue, infections, and easy bruising or bleeding; there are several factors to consider, and you can see below for causes, key tests like a CBC and bone marrow biopsy, and urgent warning signs. Medically approved next steps depend on age and severity, ranging from observation and transfusions to immunosuppressive therapy or a potentially curative stem cell transplant with infection prevention support; important details below can shape which path is right for you, so review them and arrange timely medical evaluation.
References:
* Young NS. Aplastic Anemia: A Review of Diagnosis and Management. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;35(2):339-351. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.12.006. PMID: 33678393.
* Risitano AM. Treatment of acquired aplastic anemia: an update. Haematologica. 2016 Jan;101(1):15-23. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2015.132845. PMID: 26567990.
* Brodsky RA. Pathophysiology and management of aplastic anemia. Blood Rev. 2016 Sep;30(5):383-388. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2016.03.003. Epub 2016 Mar 30. PMID: 27072467.
* Patel M, Al-Samkari H. Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia: Current Status and Future Directions. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 1;12(3):1174. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031174. PMID: 36769741; PMCID: PMC9917513.
* Young NS. Aplastic Anemia. N Engl J Med. 2018 Sep 20;379(12):1644-1651. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1716276. PMID: 30232247.
Q.
Still Exhausted? Why Iron Supplements Fail & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Still exhausted after iron supplements? They often fail when fatigue is not due to true iron deficiency, when absorption is blocked by foods, medications, or gut conditions, when the dose or duration is insufficient, or when ongoing blood loss or inflammation is present. Medically approved next steps include targeted labs to confirm the cause, optimizing how you take iron or switching formulations or using IV iron, and finding and treating the root cause, with urgent care for red flag symptoms; for the complete guidance that can change which steps you should take, see below.
References:
* Mishra K, Panigrahi R. Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia That Is Unresponsive to Oral Iron Supplementation. Cureus. 2023 Mar 1;15(3):e35649. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35649. PMID: 37007797.
* Kats D, Balder R, Smedegaard H, et al. Fatigue in the absence of anemia: a systematic review of the prevalence of nonanemic iron deficiency and its impact on quality of life. J Anemia. 2022 Mar 15;2022:3180425. doi: 10.1155/2022/3180425. PMID: 35308630.
* Stanculete MF, Dragan I, Popa M. The differential diagnosis of fatigue: a review. Rom J Intern Med. 2017 Mar 1;55(1):3-9. doi: 10.1515/rjim-2017-0001. PMID: 28557997.
* Chen P. Diagnostic Approach to Adult Fatigue in Primary Care. Can J Rural Med. 2018;23(2):64-69. PMID: 30485989.
* Weiss G, Ganz T. Anemia of inflammation: a review for the practicing hematologist. Blood. 2023 Feb 23;141(8):872-881. doi: 10.1182/blood.2022019145. PMID: 36473177.
Q.
RDW Blood Test High? Why Your Red Cells Vary & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A high RDW means your red blood cells vary in size, most often from anemia like iron deficiency, but also from B12 or folate deficiency, chronic inflammation or kidney or liver disease, recent blood loss or recovery, and rarely bone marrow disorders. Next steps usually include reviewing the full CBC with hemoglobin and MCV, checking iron and ferritin, B12, folate, thyroid and kidney function, treating the cause, and repeating labs in 4 to 8 weeks. There are several factors to consider, including red flag symptoms that need urgent care, so see the complete guidance below for important nuances that could change your next move.
References:
* Salvador, J., & Dargan, M. M. (2021). The clinical use of red cell distribution width (RDW): a review. Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 58(4), 263-279.
* Liao, J., Liu, B., Fu, Y., Wu, X., & Liu, D. (2021). Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in Health and Disease: A Narrative Review. International Journal of General Medicine, 14, 8817–8832.
* Mohamed, M. F. H., & Al-Amro, S. M. (2020). RDW as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Anemias: A Review. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 34(3), e23101.
* Förhécz, Z., & Gáspár, R. (2019). Red cell distribution width in various diseases: a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. Journal of Translational Medicine, 17(1), 44.
* Wen, Y., Jin, X., Wei, T., Wang, Q., Li, H., & Ma, X. (2018). Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) as an Important Predictor of Outcome in Different Clinical Settings. BioMed Research International, 2018, 1-8.
Q.
Always "Running on Empty"? Why Your Hemoglobin Is Starving Your Body + Medical Next Steps
A.
Low hemoglobin starves your body of oxygen, causing persistent fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and more, most often from iron deficiency but also from B12 or folate deficiency, chronic disease, blood loss, or rare bone marrow disorders. Next steps include a CBC with iron studies and B12 and folate testing to find the cause, doctor guided treatment such as iron or vitamin therapy, managing underlying disease, or transfusion if levels are dangerously low, and urgent care for red flags like chest pain, fainting, black or bloody stools, severe breathlessness, or a very fast heartbeat; key thresholds, diet tips, and what not to self treat are explained in detail below.
References:
* Beguin, Y. (2017). Fatigue in Anemia. *Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy*, *44*(4), 227-234.
* Lopez, A., Cacoub, P., Macdougall, I. C., & Peyrin-Biroulet, L. (2020). Iron deficiency anaemia. *The Lancet*, *396*(10244), 119-132.
* Bärtsch, R., & Steinhoff, J. (2017). Oxygen transport in the blood. *Der Anaesthesist*, *66*(9), 675-685.
* Warner, M. J., & Linder, E. M. (2022). Anemia: Evaluation and Management. *Primary Care*, *49*(3), 415-429.
* von Häfen, P., Stichtenoth, G., Böger, R. H., & Zietz, B. (2022). Chronic Anemia and Its Impact on the Heart. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, *11*(16), 4608.
Q.
Always Sluggish? Why Your Hematocrit Is Your "Internal Fuel Gauge" + Medically-Approved Next Steps
A.
Persistent fatigue may signal an abnormal hematocrit, your body’s internal fuel gauge for oxygen delivery; low levels often point to anemia with weakness, breathlessness, and brain fog, while high levels can thicken blood and strain the heart. Medically approved next steps include a CBC with iron, B12, folate, and kidney checks, targeted diet changes, clinician-guided iron or vitamin therapy, treating the root cause, and urgent care for red flags like chest pain, fainting, or black stools. There are several factors to consider, and important nuances that could change your next steps, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Qaseem, A., et al. (2020). Diagnosis and Management of Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Adults: American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Gastroenterology, 159*(3), 856-871. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.053
* Sheng, S., et al. (2021). Pathophysiology and current understanding of fatigue in various disease states. *Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 8*(11), 2200-2212. doi:10.1002/acn3.51465
* Hasin, P. R., et al. (2020). Reference values for hematologic parameters in the adult population of the United States. *Annals of Translational Medicine, 8*(13), 786. doi:10.21037/atm-20-4139
* Weiss, G., et al. (2018). Anemia of chronic disease: current concepts. *Wien Medizinische Wochenschrift, 168*(9-10), 213-221. doi:10.1007/s10354-018-0624-z
* Pasricha, S. R., et al. (2016). Iron deficiency and fatigue: a review of current knowledge. *BoneKEy Reports, 5*, 871. doi:10.1038/bonekey.2016.126
Q.
Running on Empty? Why Your Blood Is Failing + Medically Proven Anemia Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. Anemia means your blood cannot carry enough oxygen, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness, most often from iron deficiency but also from blood loss, low red blood cell production due to B12 or folate deficiency or chronic disease, or increased red cell destruction. Medically proven steps start with lab testing like a CBC and iron studies to find the cause, then targeted treatment such as iron, B12 or folate replacement, managing bleeding or chronic illness, and urgent care for severe symptoms; see the complete details below to choose the right next steps.
References:
* Pye, L., & Bakhai, A. (2020). Anemia: a practical approach. *British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)*, *81*(7), 1–9. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2020.81.7.382. (PMID: 32675662)
* Camaschella, C. (2021). Diagnosis and Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Clinical Review. *JAMA*, *325*(13), 1316–1324. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.3197. (PMID: 33735235)
* Weiss, G., Ganz, T., & Olsson, M. (2020). Anemia of Chronic Disease: Emerging Concepts in Pathogenesis and Treatment. *Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America*, *34*(3), 543–559. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.01.002. (PMID: 32560381)
* Konda, S., & Rajagopalan, D. (2021). Nutritional Anemias: An Update. *The Indian Journal of Pediatrics*, *88*(12), 1184–1192. doi: 10.1007/s12098-021-03761-1. (PMID: 34159588)
* Kaushansky, K. (2019). Anemia: A Diagnostic Approach. *Seminars in Hematology*, *56*(2), 70–74. doi: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2019.01.001. (PMID: 30777591)
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Williams MD, Wheby MS. Anemia in pregnancy. Med Clin North Am. 1992 May;76(3):631-47. doi: 10.1016/s0025-7125(16)30344-3. PMID: 1578961.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025712516303443?via%3DihubSchümann K, Solomons NW. Perspective: What Makes It So Difficult to Mitigate Worldwide Anemia Prevalence? Adv Nutr. 2017 May 15;8(3):401-408. doi: 10.3945/an.116.013847. PMID: 28507005; PMCID: PMC5421119.
https://academic.oup.com/advances/article/8/3/401/4558077