Anaemia blood tests are usually used to determine iron deficiency. Anaemia is a blood disorder, indicated by the decreased amount of red blood cells. People with anaemia have less than the required amount of haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, which carries oxygen through the body.
Anaemia blood tests are generally conducted on patients with suspected iron deficiency anaemia. The test results may show a decreased amount of haemoglobin in the blood. The following levels would indicate suspected iron deficiency anaemia:
- Men, over the age of 15 years old – HB below 130 g/L
- Non-pregnant women aged over the age of 15 years old — Hb below 120 g/L
- Children between the ages of 12 and 14 years old — Hb below 120 g/L
Microcytosis may also be detected through anaemia blood tests. Microcytosis is when the Mean Cell Volume (MCV) is less than 80 femtolitres. It is important to note, however, that while the probability of iron deficiency in anaemic people increases with a decreased MCV, there is no specific cut-off point.
Other red blood cell changes which are associated with iron deficiency include hypochromic (reduced mean cell haemoglobin), anisocytosis (a variation of the red blood cell size), and poikilocytosis (irregular shaped red blood cells) and an increased percentage of hypochromic red cells.
As anaemia is the most common blood disorder, patients may be referred for an anaemia blood test should they show symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, which includes symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Pale skin
However, whilst anaemia can have severe symptoms, patients can sometimes have no symptoms at all. With routine blood testing, anaemia may be detected in patients with mild or no symptoms.
*Blood tests are ordered by the doctor as needed, based on the patient’s symptoms and concerns. Occasionally alternate or additional tests may be required for accurate diagnosis.
