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Last Updated on November 14, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
Anemia is a big health issue globally, affecting over 1.6 billion people. The pathophysiology of anaemia involves a decrease in the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, or hematocrit levels below normal. This reduction limits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, and pale skin.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels are too low. This is true for males at 13 g/dL and females at 12 g/dL, unless they are pregnant. Knowing how to classify and differentiate anemia is key to treating it well.
We will look into the main points about anemia. This includes how it is classified, differentiated, and how it starts. Our goal is to give a full picture of this condition.
Anaemia is a condition where there are fewer red blood cells or less hemoglobin. It’s important to understand its clinical significance and the changes it causes in the body. We will look into how anaemia is defined and its effects.
Anaemia is diagnosed by checking red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels. Low RBC, Hct, or Hb means you have anaemia. This can happen for many reasons. Let’s see the normal values and when anaemia is diagnosed:
| Parameter | Normal Range | Anaemia Threshold |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 13.5-17.5 (male), 12-16 (female) | <13.5 (male), <12 (female) |
| Hematocrit (%) | 40-54 (male), 37-48 (female) | <40 (male), <37 (female) |
| RBC Count (million/μL) | 4.32-5.72 (male), 3.90-5.03 (female) | <4.32 (male), <3.90 (female) |
Anaemia’s symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, and shortness of breath. These happen because the blood can’t carry enough oxygen. The symptoms can vary based on the cause and how fast they happen.
Tissue hypoxia is the main problem with anaemia. It’s when tissues don’t get enough oxygen. This can cause many changes in the body. The body tries to fix this, but it’s not always enough.
In summary, understanding anaemia means knowing its definition, symptoms, and how it affects the body. We’ve covered these points to give a full picture of anaemia’s importance.
Anemia is caused by several factors affecting red blood cell production and destruction. Knowing these factors is key to diagnosing and treating anemia.
Not enough red blood cells is a big reason for anemia. This can happen for many reasons, like not getting enough nutrients, problems with the bone marrow, or long-term diseases.
Nutritional deficiencies are common in people who don’t eat well or can’t absorb nutrients. For example, not enough iron can stop red blood cells from being made because iron is needed for hemoglobin.
Chronic diseases, like long-term kidney problems, can also cause fewer red blood cells. This is because they don’t make enough erythropoietin, a hormone that helps make red blood cells.
When red blood cells break down too fast, it’s another reason for anemia. This breakdown can be because of problems inside the cells or because of the body’s immune system attacking the cells.
The ways red blood cells break down are complex. They involve the spleen and liver. For example, in hereditary spherocytosis, the spleen breaks down red blood cells because of their shape.
Blood loss is a direct cause of anemia. Acute blood loss happens suddenly, like after an injury or surgery. It quickly lowers the number of red blood cells.
Chronic blood loss happens slowly, like in menstrual disorders or stomach ulcers. It slowly lowers red blood cells over time. The body tries to make up for it to keep tissues getting enough oxygen.
It’s key to classify anemia correctly for proper treatment. We sort anemia into microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic types by red blood cell size. This helps find the cause and plan treatment.
The type of anemia is determined by the size of red blood cells. Small RBCs point to iron deficiency or thalassemia. Normal-sized RBCs suggest acute blood loss, chronic disease, or bone marrow issues. Large RBCs often mean a lack of vitamin B12 or folate.
Knowing the type of anemia is vital. It helps doctors understand the range of anemia and choose the right treatment. This way, they can better help patients by addressing the root cause.
Anemia is when there are fewer red blood cells (RBCs) or less hemoglobin in the blood. This makes it harder for blood to carry oxygen. Doctors look at RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels to diagnose it.
Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired, weak, and pale. You might also get short of breath or dizzy. These happen because your body’s tissues don’t get enough oxygen.
Anemia happens when your body makes fewer RBCs, destroys more RBCs, or loses blood. These changes can lower the number of RBCs or hemoglobin in your blood.
Doctors sort anemia by looking at RBC shape and size. This helps them find the right treatment. Different types of anemia have different causes and effects on your health.
Anemia affects millions worldwide and is a big health issue. It can harm your health, work, and quality, mainly in kids, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Tissue hypoxia means your body’s tissues don’t get enough oxygen. It’s the main problem caused by anemia. This happens because your blood can’t carry enough oxygen.
If your body doesn’t make enough RBCs, you can get anemia. This can happen if your bone marrow doesn’t work right or if you don’t have enough erythropoietin.
Anemia types are based on RBC shape and size. There are microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic anemias. Each type has its own causes and effects on your health.
