If you have been displaying the symptoms of anaemia, your doctor will first check your general health to see if another disease is the cause of the anaemia. If not, then they will then try to find out whether your anaemia is caused by blood loss or iron or vitamin deficiency. Your blood will be tested to measure the haemoglobin levels, and to check the numbers of red cells, white cells and platelets. This may be carried out using a coulter counter, which provides a detailed analysis of blood composition, and can help to diagnose illnesses that cause a deviation in normal cell counts. A sample of your bone marrow may also be taken to obtain information about the state of blood cell production. Further tests may look for bleeding.
You will be considered anaemic if your haemoglobin levels (measured in grams per decilitres) fall below:
- 13 (adult male)
- 12 (adult female)
- 12 (children between the ages of 6 and 14)
- 11 (children under the age of 6)
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