How to Know if You Are Anemic

Anemia is a decrease in the number of your red blood cells, and while there are a number of causes, the most common is iron deficiency. You may not have symptoms if you are mildly anemic, and even if you do, they may go undetected or be mistaken for something else.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Iron Supplements

1. Examine your skin tone. Do you have very pale skin color? Even if you have a dark complexion, your lips may be pale and your skin may appear "washed out."

2. Consider whether you are fatigued or irritable all of the time. These are common symptoms of anemia.

3. Ask yourself whether you have frequent headaches or loss of appetite. These are usually early signs of anemia.

4. Consider if you've been constipated - also an early symptom, and may occur without any change in dietary habits.

5. Consider whether it is difficult for you to concentrate. This can affect your work and/or school performance.

6. Ask yourself whether you're craving unusual foods. This is called pica, and you may find yourself craving very bizarre non-foods, such as soil and paper.

7. Take note of your moods. Anemia can bring on feelings of depression.

8. Consider whether you've been short of breath. Red blood cells are a vital part of the respiratory process, and this symptom may occur when anemia is moderate to severe.

9. Take note of whether you feel a sense of coldness in your extremities. This may be caused by poor circulation as a result of anemia.

10. As yourself if you've been feeling weak and/or dizzy. In severe cases, you may feel too weak to get out of bed, and dizzy when you do get up.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you develop a sore tongue and/or sores in your mouth, or cessation of menstruation if you are a woman, anemia is well-established.
• If you eat on the run, eat primarily processed foods, skip meals or go on periodic crash diets, you may not be getting enough iron and other nutrients in your diet. If you are having symptoms, it is possible you may be anemic. Anemia may also be caused by an underlying medical disorder as well as insufficient intake and/or absorption of nutrients such as iron. Having a blood test is the only way to diagnose anemia. If you suspect you are anemic, you should see a doctor.
• Don't begin taking high doses of iron supplements if you do not know for a fact that you are anemic. Iron can be toxic in high doses. Symptoms of anemia can mimic those of other health problems, and iron deficiency is not the only cause of anemia.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[zohe123]

on 2/7/2010 I can say that I actually have had all the symptoms as
faje111 except for the heavy period but I always get it late...and my hands and feet are always cold as ice and I always tend to have the worst head aches and its really hard to concentrate at school and whenever I get home I just sleep all day and I can be really hungry at one moment and then just randomly not I really dont know what to do because I did say something to my parent but they just said it was normal I don't know what to do...help?

[faje111]

on 1/3/2010 For about a year or so now I've been like a zombie. I'm always tired and sleepy. I get angry at stupid things sometimes I just get really depressed and really emotional. I went to the doctor because I was fed up with always being so tired and she tested me for anemia I came out negative but my blood platelet count was really low... so I went to hematologist a couple of times and when they tested me i came out negative for everything. So i go back a couple times to check my platelet count and it goes up and down up and down. Sometimes I get these terrible nose bleeds, or gum's begin to bleed. I get TERRIBLE headaches. When i stand up sometimes its hard to see because i get a little dizzy and i see dots, My period is Really heavy... I want to feel better but I don't know what to do! Has anyone ever experience all these symptoms... WHat did you do? Did it get better?

[chaescario]

on 8/11/2009 all of the symptoms occur once in a while in my experience, especially getting easily tired when I go up and down the stairs. My legs and feet can easily tingling when it gets tired. Including the sore tongue and in the mouth also develops. I thought it only caused because of my poor dental care. And when I suddenly stand up, I always see white dust moving around my head, this means I am dizzy. But I was not craving for papers or etc. I do eat on the run. I can easily get irritated and hard to concentrate for sometimes. I am also under medication of my polycystic illness, that could possibly have connections with the reason that I can be considered anemic. I was already advised by a doctor to take IBERET multivitamin iron, for one month. I took the vitamins along with my diane35 as my medication pill because of my polycystic illness. But when I take the vitamin iron, I get diarr...

[kjswitz2]

on 4/7/2009 Oh great my parents suggested I might be anemic. So its not that serious?I think I'll taking those animal-shaped vitamins w/ the iron boost in it roflAlso more vegetables might help you improve like drinking V8's (I prefer V8 fusion b/c it doesn't taste like vegetable juice)

[LaLaTiger]

on 2/20/2008 lucyloo, i feel the same way, it's one of those things you say and people go, "oh yeah, right!"

for me, i have to be DILIGENT about my diet, if i let it slip, i slip, too, emotions and all.

you can't really drink or smoke, and everything that goes into your mouth should be a "whole food", so nothing processed. i stay away from the "white devils" - sugar, wheat, dairy.

try to plan your whole week's diet on sunday night, i usually make a GIANT batch of greens for quick lunches and have plenty of protein rich snacks at the ready, in my car and at work.

when you go out to eat, try to find a place that you know will have a good hearty salad or something, or seafood, for lunch.

this is what has worked best for me, and when i follow it very strictly, i feel great. unfortunately, i just have to always work at it, and i guess it will never be easy :( but you can feel better