Anaemia Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Anaemia Symptoms

Anaemia can affect energy levels, breathing, circulation and the ability to carry out normal physical activities.

Common anaemia symptoms include:

• Persistent tiredness or lack of energy

• Weakness

• Reduced exercise tolerance

• Shortness of breath, particularly during physical activity

• Dizziness or light-headedness

• Headaches

• Paler-than-usual skin or mucous membranes

• Cold hands and feet

• Fast or pounding heartbeat

• Difficulty concentrating in some people

Symptoms of Anaemia That Should Not Be Ignored

Mild tiredness can have many causes, but persistent or worsening anaemia symptoms affecting breathing, circulation or normal activities should be medically assessed.

The table below lists anaemia symptoms that should not be ignored and what they may indicate:

Why Do Anaemia Symptoms Occur?

Anaemia symptoms occur when the blood has a reduced ability to carry enough oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. Haemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. When haemoglobin levels fall, or there are too few functioning red blood cells, less oxygen may reach tissues during normal activity.

The body tries to compensate by increasing breathing and making the heart pump faster. This can cause breathlessness, palpitations, tiredness and reduced exercise tolerance. Reduced oxygen delivery can also contribute to headaches, dizziness, weakness and difficulty concentrating.

The exact symptoms can also depend on the cause of anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia may produce features such as pica, a sore tongue, or brittle or spoon-shaped nails. Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia can affect the nervous system and cause numbness, pins and needles or balance problems, while increased breakdown of red blood cells can cause jaundice or dark urine.

Symptoms of Anaemia That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Mild anaemia does not usually cause a medical emergency. Severe symptoms, rapidly developing anaemia or significant blood loss can, however, affect oxygen delivery and circulation.

It is recommended to seek immediate medical attention for:

• Severe difficulty breathing or breathlessness at rest

• Chest pain or pressure

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Severe dizziness with marked weakness

• New confusion or reduced alertness

• A very rapid or irregular heartbeat with breathlessness, dizziness or weakness

• Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding

• Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools

• Sudden severe weakness following significant blood loss

Symptoms of Anaemia Based on Type

Different types of anaemia share symptoms such as tiredness, weakness and breathlessness, but their underlying causes can produce additional characteristic features.

The table below summarises the typical symptoms associated with important types of anaemia:

Symptoms of Anaemia-Specific Conditions

Certain conditions can cause anaemia with a characteristic clinical pattern that provides additional clues about the underlying cause. The table below describes some important anaemia-related conditions and their typical symptoms:

Symptoms of Anaemia in Children

Anaemia in children can cause many of the same symptoms seen in adults. Younger children, however, may not be able to describe tiredness, dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance clearly.

Possible symptoms and signs of anaemia in children include:

• Pale skin or mucous membranes

• Reduced energy or physical activity

• Tiredness or weakness

• Irritability

• Poor appetite

• Shortness of breath during activity

• Rapid heartbeat in more severe cases

• Difficulty concentrating in older children

• Slower growth when anaemia is severe or prolonged

Iron deficiency may also cause pica, such as repeatedly eating or craving non-food substances. Infants and younger children with significant iron deficiency may appear less active, feed poorly or show developmental concerns.

Inherited conditions, such as sickle cell disease and severe thalassaemia, can begin causing symptoms in infancy or childhood, and may produce additional features beyond those caused by anaemia itself.

Can You Have Anaemia Without Symptoms?

Yes. Mild anaemia may cause few or no noticeable symptoms, particularly when it develops gradually. The body can adapt to a slowly decreasing haemoglobin level, allowing some people to feel relatively well despite abnormal blood test results.

Anaemia may, therefore, be discovered during a blood test performed for another reason. As the condition becomes more severe, or if haemoglobin falls rapidly, symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, dizziness and palpitations are more likely to become noticeable.

The absence of symptoms does not rule out anaemia. Its diagnosis depends on blood testing rather than symptoms alone.

When Can Anaemia Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Severe anaemia can become dangerous when oxygen delivery to vital organs falls significantly or when anaemia develops rapidly because of major blood loss. The table below lists severe anaemia symptoms and explains why they can be life-threatening:

How are Anaemia Symptoms Diagnosed?

Anaemia cannot be diagnosed from symptoms alone. Doctors usually begin with the person's medical history, examination and a blood test to measure haemoglobin and assess red blood cells.

The table below explains the assessments commonly used when investigating anaemia, along with their purpose: