Overview

Anaemia is due to a lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin (protein in red blood cells) to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Symptoms may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, dizziness or a fast heartbeat. Treatment involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Diagnostic tests, including blood tests and bone marrow biopsies, may be done if required. Patients may receive blood transfusions for severe anaemia, iron supplements for iron deficiency, or vitamin B12 injections for pernicious anaemia. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents might be used to boost red blood cell production.