Anemia is a condition that happens when hemoglobin levels in the blood are low. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.
There are several types of anemia, and they can have different causes, such as medication use, nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, genetic changes, or autoimmune conditions. Identifying the cause is important so the most appropriate treatment can be started.
To confirm anemia, a doctor usually orders a blood test to check hemoglobin levels. Anemia is generally diagnosed when hemoglobin is below 12 g/dL in women or below 13 g/dL in men, and other tests may be ordered to identify the type of anemia.
Main types
The main types of anemia are:
1. Iron-deficiency anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common types of anemia. It mainly happens when a person does not eat enough iron-rich foods, such as red meat, eggs, or spinach.
However, this type of anemia can also develop after bleeding or heavy menstrual periods, because iron is lost through the blood.
When iron levels are low, the body may produce less hemoglobin, since iron is needed to make hemoglobin. This can cause symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness or fainting, weak and brittle nails, dry skin, and hair loss.
How to treat: treatment for iron-deficiency anemia should be guided by a doctor. It may involve changes in eating habits, such as eating more iron-rich foods, and in some cases, taking an iron supplement.
In more severe cases, a blood transfusion may be recommended.
2. Sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a type of anemia that changes the shape of red blood cells. Instead of being round, the red blood cells become shaped like a sickle or crescent moon.
This change can affect the amount of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells. It can cause symptoms such as extreme tiredness, pale skin, widespread pain, swelling in the hands and feet, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. Read more about sickle cell anemia symptoms and how they can prepare.
How to treat: treatment for sickle cell anemia is focused on relieving symptoms, as there is no cure for this type of anemia. A hematologist may recommend pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines, as well as blood transfusions in some cases.
3. Megaloblastic anemia
Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia that can happen when a person does not get enough vitamin B12 or folic acid. It is more common in people who follow a vegetarian diet, but it can also occur as a side effect of some medications.
Because this type of anemia is linked to nutritional deficiencies, it can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, hair loss, tiredness, and mouth sores.
In megaloblastic anemia, red blood cells become larger than normal. There may also be fewer circulating red blood cells, along with reduced levels of platelets and white blood cells.
How to treat: treatment for megaloblastic anemia should be guided by a doctor and a registered dietitian. Dietary changes may be recommended to increase foods rich in folic acid and/or vitamin B12, depending on the cause of the anemia.
In some cases, a dietary supplement may also be recommended.
If megaloblastic anemia is caused by medication use, the doctor may recommend stopping the medication, changing the dose, or switching to another medication.
4. Pernicious anemia
Pernicious anemia is a type of megaloblastic anemia that happens when a person consumes vitamin B12, but the body cannot absorb it properly. This occurs because there is little or no intrinsic factor, which is a protein that binds to vitamin B12 and helps the body absorb it.
This type of anemia is more common in people with celiac disease, childhood malnutrition, or homocystinuria, for example. It can cause symptoms such as weakness, headache, extreme tiredness, heart palpitations, and dizziness.
In more severe cases, the nervous system may also be affected.
How to treat: treatment for pernicious anemia should be guided by a doctor. It is usually done with vitamin B12 injections or vitamin B12 supplements.
It is also important to include more vitamin B12-rich foods in the daily diet, such as meat, eggs, and cheese.
5. Fanconi anemia
Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic type of anemia. It is characterized by congenital changes and a progressive decrease in bone marrow function, which reduces the production of blood cells.
This can lead to common symptoms of anemia, such as extreme tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and pale skin. Other signs may also occur, such as bone deformities, vision changes, red spots on the skin, and a higher risk of developing cancer.
How to treat: treatment for Fanconi anemia should be guided by a hematologist. It may involve corticosteroid medicines and/or blood transfusions.
In more severe cases, a bone marrow transplant may be recommended.
6. Thalassemia
Thalassemia is a type of anemia caused by genetic changes that affect hemoglobin production. It can cause symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, delayed growth, loss of appetite, and a weakened immune system.
Thalassemia can be classified into different types based on which hemoglobin chain is affected. Depending on the type, symptoms may be milder or more severe.
How to treat: it is important to identify the type of thalassemia so treatment can be started and disease progression can be prevented. An appropriate diet is also important to improve quality of life and support overall well-being.
7. Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia is an autoimmune type of anemia in which the body produces antibodies against its own blood cells. This causes the blood cells to be destroyed.
This type of anemia can cause symptoms such as pale skin, dizziness, purple marks on the skin, dry and yellowish skin and eyes, dark urine, and abdominal swelling.
How to treat: treatment for hemolytic anemia should be guided by a hematologist. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and immunomodulators may be recommended.
In some cases, blood transfusion or spleen removal may also be recommended.
8. Aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a type of anemia in which the bone marrow gradually reduces blood cell production. This can happen due to medication use, autoimmune diseases, infection, or frequent exposure to toxic substances.
Because the number of blood cells is reduced, symptoms may include purple marks on the skin, bleeding that takes a long time to stop, shortness of breath, headache, and pale skin and mucous membranes.
How to treat: in this case, the doctor may recommend a blood transfusion and medicines that stimulate bone marrow function and/or immunosuppressants.
In some cases, a bone marrow transplant may also be recommended.