What does easy bruising feel like with anaemia?

Anaemia means the blood is not carrying enough oxygen for the body's needs, while easy bruising often involves platelets, clotting, fragile blood vessels, medicines, or another condition. Some causes can overlap, so bruising is not a specific sign of anaemia. You may also have tiredness, breathlessness with activity, headaches, dizziness, pale skin, or a fast heartbeat. Heavy periods or other blood loss may help explain both the anaemia and symptoms.

Arrange an appointment for new bruising, persistent fatigue, or suspected blood loss. Tell the clinician about diet, menstrual bleeding, bowel changes, medicines, and supplements. They may arrange a full blood count and tests to look for the cause. Do not begin iron supplements simply because bruising is present; excess iron can be harmful and the correct treatment depends on the diagnosis.

Seek urgent help for breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding, black stools, blood in vomit, or rapidly worsening weakness. A sudden large number of bruises or bleeding that will not stop also needs prompt assessment.

Could blood loss or a low platelet count explain my symptoms? Which tests will identify the type and cause of anaemia? Should I change any medicine, supplement, or part of my diet while waiting for results?