Grading of anemia, according to the National Cancer Institute, is as follows: Mild: Hemoglobin 10.0 g/dL to lower limit of normal. Moderate: Hemoglobin 8.0 to 10.0 g/dL. Severe: Hemoglobin 6.5 to 7.9 g/dL[1] Life-threatening: Hemoglobin less than 6.5 g/dL.
Mild anemia corresponds to a level of hemoglobin concentration of 10.0-10.9 g/dl for pregnant women and children under age 5 and 10.0-11.9 g/dl for nonpregnant women. For all of the tested groups, moderate anemia corresponds to a level of 7.0-9.9 g/dl, while severe anemia corresponds to a level less than 7.0 g/dl.
Aplastic anemia.
This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when the body doesn't make enough new blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases and being in contact with toxic chemicals.
Aplastic anemia: Untreated aplastic anemia can be life threatening. Doctors may be able to cure some people with a bone marrow transplant. As the condition can relapse, a person will require regular follow-up appointments. Non-transplant options to treat the condition are also available.
Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in vital organs such as the heart, and can lead to heart failure.
Call Your Doctor About Anemia If:
Persistent fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, pale skin, or any other symptoms of anemia; seek emergency care for any trouble breathing or change in your heart beat.
A normal hemoglobin level is about 12 to 18 g/dL. An RBC transfusion may be given if hemoglobin is less than 8 g/dL. It will also depend on your symptoms as well as how long it took for the anemia to develop. Anemia from a sudden loss of blood will probably need to be corrected right away.
With proper treatment, many types of anemia are mild and short term. However, anemia can be severe, long lasting, or even fatal when it's caused by an inherited or chronic disease or trauma.
Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia will depend on its cause and severity. Treatments may include dietary changes and supplements, medicines, and surgery. Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require a blood transfusion, iron injections, or intravenous (IV) iron therapy. Treatment may need to be done in a hospital.
You should call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are having severe symptoms or any chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness. Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as: Severe fatigue. Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks.
Conclusions. Children up to 12 years of age with very severe anemia have nearly a 30% chance of mortality following admission over a one year period, with over 50% of mortality occurring after discharge.
The connection between low iron, body weight, and hemoglobin is apparent when low energy makes exercising and burning calories difficult, causing weight gain. Conversely, iron deficiency anemia may contribute to decreased appetite, resulting in weight loss.
If your anemia is severe, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure. Procedures include blood transfusions and blood and marrow stem cell transplants.
One of the best ways to manage anemia-related fatigue is to try and get sufficient sleep. However, you will want to avoid sleeping too much because that will add to fatigue. Instead, aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Naps are fine but limit yourself to one short 20- to 30-minute nap a day.
Transfusions help people with serious anemia quickly increase the number of red blood cells in their blood. Your doctor may recommend this if you have serious complications of anemia.
Patients receiving ongoing chemotherapy who present with anemia (Hgb ≤ 11 g/dL or Hgb decrease ≥ 2 g/dL from a baseline level ≤ 12 g/dL) and absolute iron deficiency (ID) (serum ferritin < 100 ng/mL) should receive iron treatment with an intravenous (IV) iron preparation to correct ID.
According to the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB), a hemoglobin level of 7 m/dL or below should indicate the need for a blood transfusion in people who are otherwise medically stable.
During stage 5, iron deficiency affects tissues, resulting in symptoms and signs. Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia prompts consideration of its cause, usually bleeding. Patients with obvious blood loss (eg, women with menorrhagia) may require no further testing.
Anemia and leukemia are both conditions that affect a person's blood. Although there is no evidence that anemia can cause leukemia, people with leukemia are more likely to develop anemia. This could be because leukemia, a form of blood cancer, causes anemia, which involves a reduction in red blood cells.
Recap. Shortness of breath, fatigue, and fast heartbeat are all symptoms of both anemia and heart failure. However, with anemia, you may also feel dizziness, easily bruised skin, and restless legs syndrome. With heart failure, you will experience swelling in the legs, a dry cough, and an upset stomach.
The average length of stay was 5.7 ± 2.1 days. Patients with mild anemia had 1.7 times longer stays (95% CI: 1.6-1.7, P <. 001) and those with moderate to severe anemia had 3.0 times longer stays (95% CI 2.9-3.1, P <. 001).
If you have anemia, your body does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. The lack of oxygen can make you feel tired or weak. You may also have shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, or an irregular heartbeat.