Anaemia normally happens when there is a reduced amount of haemoglobin in your red blood cells in Singapore. Your red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen all over your body. The lack of haemoglobbin means that not enough oxygen-rich blood is available, and this leads to anaemia.
Iron-deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia in the world. As its name suggests, it is anaemia caused by insufficient iron.
Iron-deficiency anaemia is a common condition that affects many people; however, these are some of the risk factors that might make a person more susceptible to it:
The most common way that iron-defiency anaemia is diagnosed is through a blood test also known as a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is able to measure the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit (percent of blood volume made up of red blood cells), and platelets.
Another way iron-deficiency anaemia is diagnosed is through a microscope – where drops of your blood are examined to identify the level of iron in your blood, the size and colour of your red blood cells, your ferritin level (low levels of ferritin indicates low iron storage), and your total iron-binding capacity.
A colonoscopy or a gastroscopy can also be used to diagnose iron-deficiency anaemia particularly if internal bleeding is a suspected cause.
There are many treatment options for iron-deficiency anaemia such as:
Iron pills can help to increase the iron levels in your body.
Consume a diet of iron-rich food such as dark leafy green vegetables, iron-fortified cereal, dried fruits, nuts, seafood, and red meat.
Iif your iron-deficiency anaemia is caused by internal bleeding, surgery may be required to stop the bleeding.