Anaemia In Women: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Management Strategies
Health
Published on: 04-Apr-2024
10 min read
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Lalita Vishwakarma
Anaemia In Women: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Management Strategies
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Anaemia is a widespread health condition characterised by iron deficiency. Low iron content is a leading cause of anaemia, often resulting from inadequate dietary intake, poor iron absorption, or parasitic infections such as malaria and hookworm. You will be surprised to know the anaemia statistics worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anaemia affects approximately 1.62 billion people, making it one of the most common nutritional deficiencies.
Plus, there are about 41.8% of pregnant women globally are anaemic. It is a sombre topic as maternal anaemia is associated with increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. Therefore, uncovering all the parameters related to this iron deficiency is essential. So, in this blog, we will talk about the causes and symptoms of anaemia in women, as well as diagnosis and management tips.
Key Highlights
It is a health condition that majorly targets young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent women.
Causes include iron deficiency, infections, chronic diseases, heavy menstruation, pregnancy issues, and family history.
Anaemia symptoms in women include rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, fatigue, pale skin and loss of concentration.
Table Of Contents
Major Causes Of Anaemia In Women
Symptoms Of Anemia In Women
How To Diagnose Anaemia?
Tips To Manage The Symptoms Of Anemia
Iron Levels In Pregnancy Chart Third Trimester For Indians
Symptoms Of Anaemia After Menopause
Haemoglobin Levels In Females
Dietitian's Recommendation
The Final Say
FAQs
References
Major Causes Of Anemia In Women
Anaemia is a severe medical condition in which the body's cells fail to carry adequate oxygen to the tissues. Haemoglobin is the major protein present in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it throughout the body. Low haemoglobin levels cause the body's cells to not receive enough oxygen, leading to weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Here are the major causes of anaemia in young females:
1. Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is a common type of anaemia, especially among women of reproductive age. This condition is exacerbated by blood loss during menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Inadequate intake of iron-rich foods and poor iron absorption can also contribute to this type of anaemia.
2. Chronic Disease
Another major cause of anaemia in women is chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney disease and autoimmune disorders. These can lead to the destruction of red blood cells and prevent the formation of haemoglobin, ultimately resulting in anaemia.
3. Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamins are key in regulating bodily functions and red blood cell formation. Various types of vitamins have a specific role in improving body functions. However, when you become deficient in vitamins, especially folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin C, you are at a high risk of anaemia.
4. Genetic Factors
Some genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, also cause anaemia in women. These disorders affect the structure and production of haemoglobin, leading to an increase in the risk of iron deficiency.
5. Menstrual Disorders
Heavy menstrual bleeding is another prevalent reason for anaemia in women. It is also known as menorrhagia, which can lead to iron deficiency in young and older women.
6. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, women with low iron stores or those experiencing blood loss during childbirth are at increased risk of developing anaemia as the body demands iron to support the growing foetus and placenta.
Also Read: Know About Iron Absorption Diet With ToneOp
Symptoms Of Anemia In Women
The underlying reason, the severity of the illness, and personal variables can all affect anaemia symptoms. Here's a detailed overview of the common symptoms associated with anaemia:
Symptoms | Explanation |
Fatigue and Weakness | Low haemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing tiredness and persistent weakness. |
Pale Skin and Nail Beds | Reduced blood flow and oxygenation lead to paleness, especially noticeable on lips, face, nail beds, and eyelids. |
Shortness of Breath | Inadequate oxygen supply to tissues causes shortness of breath, even with minimal exertion. |
Dizziness or Lightheadedness | Reduced oxygen to the brain causes dizziness, especially when standing up quickly. |
Headaches | Anaemia can contribute to frequent headaches that may vary in intensity and duration. |
Cold Hands and Feet | Poor circulation due to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity leads to cold extremities. |
Chest Pain (severe cases) | Inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle causes chest pain, requiring immediate medical attention. |
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat | The heart compensates for low oxygen by beating faster or irregularly, causing palpitations. |
Brittle Nails | Anaemia can cause thin, brittle, or spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia). |
Hair Loss (long-term/untreated) | Chronic or severe anaemia can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to thinning or hair loss. |
Restless Legs Syndrome | Some individuals with anaemia experience an uncontrollable urge to move their legs, especially at night, along with uncomfortable sensations. |
Impaired Cognitive Function (severe cases) | In prolonged or severe anaemia, inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain can impair memory and concentration and cause mental fog. |
How To Diagnose Anemia?
Diagnosing anaemia typically involves a combination of medical histories, additional laboratory tests, and physical examination, such as a peripheral blood smear or bone marrow biopsy. A healthcare provider may suggest blood tests to measure the following:
Hemoglobin levels
Red blood cell count
Haematocrit (it is the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells)
Serum ferritin levels (a marker of iron stores).
Tips To Manage The Symptoms Of Anemia
Treatment for anaemia aims to address the underlying cause and alleviate symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of anaemia, management strategies may include:
1. Iron Supplementation
For iron deficiency anaemia, taking iron supplements as directed and following up with healthcare providers for monitoring is essential. To replenish iron stores and raise haemoglobin levels, doctors may prescribe iron supplements.
2. Dietary Modifications
Modification is necessary to lead a healthy and balanced life. To prevent the risk of anaemia, you can start eating iron-rich foods like Spinach, Pomegranate, Black Beans, Chickpeas, soybeans, apricots, and plums.
Moreover, consuming vitamin C-rich foods alongside iron-rich foods can enhance iron absorption. For example, lean meats, fish, lentils, beans, green veggies, and fortified cereals can help prevent and manage iron deficiency anaemia.
Also Read: 10 Iron-Rich Indian Foods
3. Vitamin Supplementation
To prevent vitamin deficiency, it is important to add vitamin supplements to improve the levels of folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin C.
4. Treatment of Underlying Conditions
It improves red blood cell production, alleviates anaemia, and manages underlying medical conditions like chronic renal disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBS).
5. Blood Transfusion
It is used in severe conditions where the patient is unable to get enough iron or haemoglobin from food products. In severe cases of anaemia or when rapid correction is necessary, a blood transfusion may be required to increase haemoglobin levels and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Iron Levels In Pregnancy Chart Third Trimester For Indians
In the third trimester, iron requirements increase significantly as the fetus grows and the mother's blood volume expands. Here's a general guideline for iron levels in the third trimester of pregnancy for Indian women:
1. Iron (Serum)
Units | Nonpregnant Adult | First Trimester | Second Trimester | Third Trimester |
µg/dL | 41 - 141 | 72 - 143 | 44 - 178 | 30 - 193 |
µmol/L | 7 - 25 | 13 - 26 | 8 - 32 | 5 - 35 |
2. Serum Ferritin Levels
During pregnancy, ferritin levels tend to decrease because of increased iron utilisation for fetal growth and maternal blood volume expansion. Serum ferritin works as a marker of iron stores in the body. Although there is no specific cut-off for ferritin levels in pregnancy, values above 30 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) are generally considered adequate to prevent iron deficiency anaemia.
3. Hemoglobin (Hb) Levels
WHO defines anaemia in pregnancy as a haemoglobin concentration of fewer than 11.0 grams per decilitre (g/dL). In the third trimester, haemoglobin levels above 11.0 g/dL are generally considered normal, with optimal levels ranging between 11.0 to 13.5 g/dL. However, slightly higher haemoglobin levels are recommended during pregnancy to meet increased demands.
Also Read: How Do I Increase My Haemoglobin Level?
Symptoms Of Anaemia After Menopause
Anaemia, a condition with fewer red blood cells than needed, can happen for different reasons. For instance, the body might not absorb enough nutrients like iron and vitamin B12. Even after menopause, women can still experience anaemia, but the causes may be different from when they were younger.
Treating anaemia involves figuring out what's causing it and then changing your diet, taking supplements, or getting medical treatment if necessary. For postmenopausal women, anaemia can be caused by not getting enough of certain nutrients, having a chronic illness, bleeding in the gut, or problems with your bone marrow.
If you think you have anaemia, look for symptoms like tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness, and pale skin. It's important to get regular check-ups to ensure you're healthy and manage any health issues, including anaemia.
Haemoglobin Levels In Females
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided a general guideline for female haemoglobin levels, including Indian females. During pregnancy, haemoglobin levels tend to decrease due to haemodilution and increased demand for iron. It's important to note that haemoglobin levels may vary from person to person. Healthcare providers consider various factors, such as age, ethnicity, altitude, and health status, when interpreting haemoglobin levels.
Pregnancy Status | Normal Hemoglobin Levels (g/dL) |
Non-pregnant Adult Females | Above 12.0 |
Pregnant Women (WHO Guidelines) | Above 11.0 |
Dietitian's Recommendation
As a registered dietitian, I recommend that women with anaemia include iron-rich foods like beans, lentils, almonds, and flaxseeds. Pairing these foods with vitamin C-rich options like oranges, grapes, etc., improves iron absorption. However, if you are considering taking iron supplements, consult a healthcare professional first.
Dt. Akshata Gandevikar
The Final Say
Anaemia is a significant health concern for everyone, but it becomes severe in women, impacting their quality of life and overall health. The common symptoms of anaemia in women include pale skin, fatigue, rapid heart rate and problem breathing. If you suspect any symptoms in you or your loved one, consult your doctor immediately. It can help you take the first-line treatment. Also, it is caused by iron deficiency, so try to include iron-rich foods like spinach, apricots, plums, and soybeans in your regular diet. Talk to your dietitian before including these if you have an allergy or are pregnant; for more information on health and nutrition-related topics, visit ToneOp!
FAQs
1. What is the main cause of anaemia in women?
Iron deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, and Vitamin B12 deficiency are the main cause of anaemia in women.
2. What is considered anaemia for a woman?
Haemoglobin levels less than 12gm/dl in women are considered anaemia.
3. How common is anaemia in women?
Anaemia is one of the most common health disorders estimated to affect half a billion women 15–49 years of age and 269 million children 6–59 months of age worldwide.
References
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