Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
This is the most common cause of anemia. Iron is needed for
hemoglobin (Hb) production and is mostly stored in Hb molecules in the body. Causes of this type
of anemia include:
- Diets low in iron
- Chronic blood loss
- Body
changes (growth, pregnancy, etc )
- astrointestinal tract abnormalities and diseases
Vitamin B12 (B12) Deficiency Anemia
Vitamin B12 is essential for normal nervous system function
and blood cell production. Main sources of B12 include meat, eggs, and dairy
products. Causes of this type of anemia include:
- Diet low in
Vitamin B12
- Chronic
alcoholism
- Intestinal Malabsorption disorders
- Pernicious anemia (caused by the
absence of a protein present in the stomach that binds to B12 and allows for
its absorption)
Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia (FADA)
Folic acid is necessary for growth ,cellular repair and is
essential for the formation of red blood cells. FADA mostly affects women over
30. Causes of this type of anemia include:
- Advanced age
- Illness
- Alcoholism
- Smoking
- Diets low in folic acid
- Body's inability to digest foods with
folic acid content
- Birth-control
pills & anticonvulsant therapy
- Genetic Predisposition (MTHFR) gene.
Hemolytic Anemia
Sometimes Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are destroyed faster than
the bone marrow can produce them. Thalassemia -an inherited blood disorder- is
a good example of a disease that can cause hemolytic anemia
(for more information see "MedLabs Thalassemia
Pamphlet").
What tests can be carried out to detect Anemia?
- Complete Blood
Count (CBC)
- Serum Iron
- Serum Vitamin B12 levels
- Serum Folic Acid
levels
- Serum Ferritin levels
Other tests (optional):
- MTHFR(genetic
predisposition)
- Parietal Cell
Antibodies
- Intrinsic Factor
Antibodies
- Hb Pattern Analysis
What to eat when suffering from Anemia?
- Vitamin C (enhances iron and folate absorption)
- Iron rich foods: meat, chicken, fish, shellfish
- Beta-carotene rich foods: carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes,
squash, apricots, cantaloupe
- Folic Acid rich foods: asparagus, beets, broccoli, avocados,
spinach, beans, chickpeas, lentils, oranges, peas, turkey, cabbage
- Vitamin B12 rich foods: beef, trout, crab, oysters, tuna,
yoghurt
- Vitamin B6 rich foods: sweet potatoes, avocados, bananas,
mangoes, brown rice, chicken, tuna, chickpeas, salmon, turkey, barley