Which specialist treats anaemia?

Anaemia means the blood is carrying less oxygen than the body needs, often because haemoglobin is low. It can arise from low iron, vitamin deficiency, blood loss, inflammation, inherited blood conditions or another illness. The right specialist depends on the pattern in your blood tests and the suspected cause.

A GP can review symptoms, medicines, diet, menstrual or other bleeding, and family history. A haematologist may be involved when the blood count is unusual, anaemia is severe or recurrent, several blood cell types are affected, or the cause remains unclear.

Arrange a medical review if you have ongoing fatigue, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, generalised weakness, cold intolerance or cold hands and feet. Take previous blood results and a medicine list to the appointment. Do not assume iron is the answer: treatment should match the cause, and excess iron can be harmful.

Your clinician may repeat a full blood count and check iron, vitamin levels, kidney function or signs of blood loss. Referral may go to a haematologist, gastroenterologist, gynaecologist or another service according to the findings.

Seek urgent help for fainting, chest discomfort, severe breathlessness, confusion, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or bleeding that does not stop. Prompt assessment is also needed for black stools, vomiting blood, heavy unexpected bleeding or rapidly worsening weakness.

What type of anaemia do my results suggest? Do I need a haematology referral? Could bleeding, diet, medicines or another condition explain it? Which tests will show whether treatment is working?