Anemia is defined as the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Functionally, anemia arises when there is insufficient hemoglobin or the hemoglobin is not functional. The physiologic function of hemoglobin is to deliver oxygen to the tissues. Oxygen binds to hemoglobin as the blood passes through the lungs and is then released to the tissues as the blood circulates throughout the rest of the body; when hemoglobin is not adequate for oxygenation of the tissues, tissue hypoxia results.
In actual operational terms, anemia is a reduction in the total number of red blood cells (RBCs), the amount of hemoglobin circulating, or RBC mass. RBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC indices, and RDW are measured/calculated using laboratory instrumentation, and the obtained results are then compared to reference ranges and the previously established baseline for that patient.
Symptoms of anemia may include:
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- A fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Cognitive problems
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache
