CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL
Low hemoglobin, also known as anemia, is a condition in which the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is below normal levels.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.
Anemia can result from a variety of causes, including nutritional deficiencies, blood loss, and chronic diseases. The symptoms can vary in severity depending on the cause and the extent of the hemoglobin reduction.
Pathology | Clinical Symptoms and Signs | Suspected Diagnosis | Confirmatory Diagnosis |
|---|---|---|---|
Microcytic anemia | Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, cold hands and feet | History of poor iron intake, chronic symptoms | Complete blood count (CBC), low MCV, iron and ferritin levels, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) |
Macrocytic anemia | Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, glossitis, paresthesias | History of poor vitamin B12 or folate intake | CBC, high MCV, vitamin B12 and folate levels |
Normocytic anemia | Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness | History of chronic diseases, renal failure | CBC, normal MCV, renal and liver function tests |
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