To diagnose anemia, a blood test is necessary to assess the amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which is usually indicative of anemia when hemoglobin levels are below 12 g / dL for women and 14 g / dL for patients men.
However, hemoglobin concentration is not the only parameter for the diagnosis of anemia, other tests are usually requested to identify the cause of low hemoglobin and start the most appropriate treatment. Find out what the altered hemoglobin values may indicate.
Since iron deficiency anemia is the most common, the doctor begins by assessing the amount of ferritin in the blood, because when this substance is in small amount it means that there is little iron in the body. However, if ferritin values are normal, further tests such as hemoglobin electrophoresis or counting vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, which help to identify other types of anemia, may be necessary.
Values that confirm anemia
The diagnosis of anemia is made when the hemoglobin values in the blood count are:
- In men: less than 14 g / dL of blood; In women: less than 12 g / dL of blood;
Usually, this blood test already includes the amount of ferritin, so your doctor can assess whether your anemia is being caused by a lack of iron. If this is the case, the ferritin value will also be low, indicating low blood iron levels, which may be indicative of iron deficiency anemia. However, if ferritin levels are normal, it is a sign that anemia is being caused by another problem and, therefore, further tests may be ordered to identify the correct cause.
In addition to evaluating the hemoglobin value, the doctor checks the value of the other hemogram indexes, such as Average Corpuscular Volume (VCM), Average Corpuscular Hemoglobin (HCM), Average Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (CHCM) and the RDW, which measures the variation in size between red blood cells. From the analysis of the blood count, the doctor can identify the type of anemia. Understand how the blood count works.
Tests to identify the type of anemia
In addition to blood count and ferritin, there are other tests that can be ordered by the doctor to identify other types of anemia, such as:
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis: analyzes the different types of hemoglobin in the blood and can help diagnose the type of anemia, being mainly performed to identify sickle cell anemia. Understand how hemoglobin electrophoresis is done; Peripheral blood smear test: evaluates the appearance of red blood cells under a microscope to determine the size, shape, number, and appearance, and can assist in the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, megaloblastic anemia and other hematological changes; Reticulocyte count: evaluates whether the bone marrow is producing new red blood cells, allowing the identification of aplastic anemia; Stool examination: can help detect bleeding from the stomach or intestines, which can be the cause of anemia; Levels of vitamin B12 in the urine: deficiency of this vitamin can cause pernicious anemia; Bilirubin levels: useful for determining whether red blood cells are destroyed inside the body, which can be a sign of hemolytic anemia; Lead levels: lead poisoning can be one of the causes of anemia in children; Liver function tests: to assess the functioning of the liver, which can be one of the causes of anemia; Kidney function tests: can help determine if there are any kidney problems, such as kidney failure, for example, that can cause anemia; Bone marrow biopsy: assesses the production of red blood cells and can be done when a bone marrow problem is suspected to have caused anemia. See what it is for and how bone marrow biopsy is performed.
Other tests such as MRI, X-ray, CT scan, urine test, genetic tests, serological and biochemical tests can also be used to diagnose the type of anemia, however they are not commonly requested.
It is important that the results of the exams are evaluated by the doctor, because only then is it possible to start the appropriate treatment for the situation. Only having the hemoglobin concentration below the reference value is not enough to determine anemia, and it is very important to carry out further tests. Learn more about the different types of anemia.
One way to prevent iron-deficiency and pernicious anemia, which may arise as a result of eating, is by changing eating habits. Watch the following video to see how to prevent these types of anemia:
