What is it about ?
Anemia
We talk about anemia when the blood contains too little hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It is this which gives the red color to the red blood cells. It fixes oxygen. Red blood cells thus carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
In adults, we speak of anemia if the hemoglobin level is
- less than 13 in a man;
- less than 12 in a woman;
- less than 11 in a pregnant woman.
Making red blood cells
Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow throughout life. A red blood cell lives for more or less 3 months. So the bone marrow has to make new red blood cells all the time.
Destruction of red blood cells
After 3 months, red blood cells are naturally destroyed and eliminated by the spleen and liver.
Causes of anemia
Anemia can be caused by:
- decreased production of red blood cells;
- increased loss of red blood cells;
- both mechanisms at the same time.
Hemolytic anemia
Anemia caused by abnormal destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) is called hemolytic anemia.
If the red blood cells are damaged abnormally (hemolysis), the red blood cells may only live for a few minutes. If the marrow fails to produce enough hemoglobin and red blood cells to compensate for this degradation, anemia occurs.
The breakdown of red blood cells can take place in the spleen, bone marrow, or blood vessels.
The causes of hemolytic anemia are:
- hereditary conditions, for example thalassemia ;
- certain drugs;
- transfusion;
- infection;
- burn ;
- …
How to recognize hemolytic anemia?
If you have hemolytic anemia, you may not have any symptoms.
You may also have symptoms. Symptoms depend on your age, condition, how quickly anemia sets in, the severity, duration and cause of the anemia.
Typical symptoms of anemia are:
- pallor;
- tired ;
- be out of breath more quickly during physical activity.
How does the doctor make the diagnosis of hemolytic anemia?
The blood test makes it possible to determine the hemoglobin level and therefore to make the diagnosis of anemia.
The blood test also makes it possible to determine other parameters: the number, size and shape of red blood cells, the iron reserve in the body (ferritin), the iron concentration in the blood, vitamin B12, folic acid, signs of prolonged illnesses and infections, …
All these parameters make it possible to know if the anemia is caused by hemolysis or by something else.
Hemolysis is confirmed when there is an increase in the number of ‘young’ red blood cells (reticulocytes) in the blood. Depending on the initial results, additional tests may be required to find out the specific cause of hemolytic anemia.
What can you do ?
There is nothing you can do to prevent hemolytic anemia. If you have signs of anemia, it may be helpful to see your GP for an evaluation.
What can your doctor do?
Treatment depends on the cause of the anemia. Your doctor may order additional tests to find the cause of your anemia. Your doctor may contact a blood specialist (hematologist) to determine this treatment.
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