What are the risk factors for anaemia?

Anaemia means the blood cannot carry oxygen as effectively as it should, often because haemoglobin or red blood cells are reduced. Heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding from the digestive tract, surgery, or repeated blood loss can lower iron stores. A restricted diet or difficulty absorbing nutrients may contribute to Iron Deficiency Anaemia or Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Chronic Kidney Disease can reduce signals needed to make red blood cells. Thalassaemia and other inherited conditions can affect haemoglobin from childhood or later life.

Speak with a clinician if you have persistent tiredness, breathlessness on exertion, paleness, headaches, palpitations, unusual cravings, or reduced concentration. A blood count and targeted tests can distinguish iron, vitamin, inherited, inflammatory, or kidney-related causes. Do not assume iron is the right treatment: taking it without identifying the cause can delay investigation of bleeding or another condition. Mention menstrual, digestive, dietary, family, and medication history.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness at rest, fainting, new chest pain, confusion, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat. Prompt review is also needed for black stools, vomiting blood, or heavy bleeding. Anaemia can be a sign of ongoing blood loss or another illness, so worsening symptoms should not wait for a routine check.

Ask which type of Anaemia is suspected, what tests are needed, and whether bleeding or absorption problems should be investigated. Discuss whether Chronic Kidney Disease, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Thalassaemia, or Vitamin B12 Deficiency is relevant to your history and what follow-up will show treatment is working.