What Causes Anaemia?

Red blood cells are packed with haemoglobin, which is made up of an iron compound (haem) and a protein (globin). Oxygen binds itself to the iron compound, which enables it to be carried around the body to supply all the body's tissues and organs.

Anaemia is a shortage of haemoglobin in the blood, which results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues. This shortage may be caused by a number of factors, the major ones being loss of haemoglobin and insufficient haemoglobin production.

Loss of Haemoglobin

Disorders such as duodenal ulcer or piles may cause continual slow bleeding, which may mean that so much haemoglobin is lost that the body cannot provide a full supply of oxygen to the tissues. Other blood loss (for example, from heavy periods or from over-use of aspirins that may make the stomach bleed) can cause similar results. Red blood cells may also be destroyed through diseases such as malaria, where they are killed by parasites, or through other causes, such as poisons.

Insufficient Haemoglobin Production

If the body is deficient in iron or vitamins, then it may not be able to produce sufficient red blood cells or haemoglobin to supply the tissues and organs with oxygen. Vitamins B12 and folic acid are required for the formation of red cells, whilst vitamin C is needed to assimilate iron. Pregnant women are particularly at risk from anaemia, as they must supply the baby's iron and vitamin requirements from their own reserves.