What is anaemia?

Anaemia in your reports

Anaemia shows up as a low haemoglobin (Hb) value, usually in a complete blood count (CBC).

WHO notes that the cut-off changes with:

• age
• sex
• pregnancy

Each lab prints its own reference range, so read your value against the range on your report and ask your doctor what it means for you.

Why anaemia matters

Anaemia is very common among women, especially during the years of periods, pregnancy and just after childbirth.

It can leave you:

• tired and dizzy
• breathless on the stairs
• with headaches
• with cold hands and feet

WHO describes it as a sign of an underlying problem, so finding the cause matters. Low iron is the most common reason, but all of these can cause it too:

• low folate or vitamin B12
• heavy periods
• infections and worms
• long-term illness
• inherited conditions like thalassaemia

What helps with anaemia

When diet is part of the cause, food helps.

• Include iron-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, dals and chana, and eggs, fish or meat if you eat them.
• Add vitamin C foods such as amla, guava or a squeeze of lemon to the same meal to help absorption.
• Keep chai and coffee away from mealtimes, since they slow iron absorption.

Don't start tablets on your own: your doctor needs to find the cause first and will tell you if you need supplements.