Diagnosing Anemia

Anemia is a condition where the body lacks enough red blood cells to effectively carry oxygen to tissues. Among the various types of anemia, deficiency-related forms are the most common, primarily:

1. Iron Deficiency Anemia
2. Folate/B12 Deficiency Anemia

Here’s a breakdown of key blood markers in a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test to help identify anemia and its type.

Core Markers for Diagnosing Anemia #

1. Hemoglobin (Hb) #

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

• Low hemoglobin levels are the hallmark of anemia, indicating reduced oxygen transport capacity.
  • Normal Range:
    • Men: Above 13.5 g/dL
    • Women: Above 12.5 g/dL

2. Hematocrit (Hct) #

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

• Low hematocrit suggests anemia.
  • Normal Range:
    • Men: 40–50%
    • Women: 38–45%

3. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count #

The RBC count reflects the number of red blood cells in your blood.

• Low RBC count indicates insufficient red blood cell production or excessive loss.
  • Normal Range:
    • Men: Above 4.7 million/µL
    • Women: Above 4.2 million/µL

When all these markers are on the lower side, anemia is likely.

Distinguishing Between Iron and B12/Folate Deficiency Anemia #

4. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) #

MCV measures the average size of red blood cells.

• MCV < 80 fL: Suggests iron deficiency anemia (microcytic anemia).
• MCV > 100 fL: Suggests folate or B12 deficiency anemia (macrocytic anemia).

5. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) & Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) #

These markers assess hemoglobin content in RBCs.

• Low MCH/MCHC: Points to iron deficiency anemia.
• High MCH/MCHC: Points to folate or B12 deficiency anemia.

Additional Tests for a Complete Diagnosis #

To confirm and understand the nature of anemia, CBC markers should be interpreted alongside:

• Iron Panel: Serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation.
• Serum B12: To assess vitamin B12 levels.
• Serum Folate: To check folate status.

In some cases, individuals may have both iron and B12 deficiencies, showing overlapping patterns in their CBC results.

A Word of Caution #

Abnormal CBC parameters can result from various conditions. Self-diagnosis is not recommended. Always consult a healthcare professional for accurate interpretation and guidance.

By understanding your CBC markers, you can take an informed step toward diagnosing and managing anemia effectively.