“Anemia Isn’t Always Caused by Iron Deficiency” ... Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Low Hemoglobin [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Anemia is commonly associated with iron deficiency, but that is just one of its many possible causes. Kidney disease, vitamin deficiencies and blood cancers can also cause anemia.
Even so, many people dismiss a low hemoglobin level found during a health checkup as unimportant. Anemia is common, but it can significantly reduce quality of life and may point to an underlying condition, so it should not be taken lightly.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia as a hemoglobin level below 12 g/dL in women and below 13 g/dL in men. Separate criteria apply to pregnant women, depending on the stage of pregnancy.
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people notice almost no symptoms even when their hemoglobin falls to 7–8 g/dL, while others experience severe dizziness at around 9 g/dL. No single symptom is enough to conclude that someone has anemia, but because it can interfere with daily life, symptoms should not be ignored.

Anemia can have various causes, including kidney disease, vitamin deficiencies, malabsorption and bone marrow disorders. The most common type, iron-deficiency anemia, can be suspected to some extent through a routine blood test, but iron studies that check ferritin and transferrin saturation, among other measures, are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
In women of childbearing age, heavy menstrual bleeding or gynecological conditions are often the cause. Iron-deficiency anemia can also result from monthly periods alone, even in the absence of a specific gynecological condition. If symptoms recur, a blood test should be done to check for iron deficiency, and iron supplements should be taken if needed.
One cause that must be ruled out is gastrointestinal bleeding. Yoon Seok-yoon, a professor in the Department of Oncology and Hematology at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, explained, “If an adult man or a postmenopausal woman develops iron-deficiency anemia without an obvious cause, gastroscopy and colonoscopy should be considered to check for gastrointestinal bleeding or cancers of the digestive system.”

Iron supplementation treatment is relatively straightforward. Neither oral nor injectable iron can be said to be better; the key is to replenish the iron the body lacks. Intravenous administration can deliver a high dose at once, while oral supplements have the advantage of not requiring injections.
However, oral iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation or indigestion, so the choice depends on the patient’s preferences and condition. Intravenous administration can help when there is malabsorption.
After treatment begins, uncomfortable symptoms tend to improve first, within two to three days, and hemoglobin levels recover in a month or two. But replenishing the body’s iron stores takes 6–12 months, so treatment should continue for a sufficient period.
Professor Yoon said, “The various symptoms caused by iron-deficiency anemia can be quite distressing for patients, but iron supplementation alone can provide substantial relief. If a health checkup shows anemia or related symptoms recur, I recommend not taking it lightly, but visiting a hospital and consulting a specialist.”
[email protected] Jeong Myeong-jin, Medical Correspondent Reporter