What are the symptoms of anaemia (low haemoglobin)?
Anaemia develops slowly and symptoms become more pronounced as haemoglobin drops.
- Persistent fatigue, exhaustion, and lack of stamina
- Pale skin, pale inner eyelids, gums, and nail beds
- Shortness of breath during climbing stairs or walking
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint on standing
- Cold hands and feet
- Rapid heart rate or noticeable heart palpitations
- Brittle nails or unusual cravings for ice or raw rice (pica)
Warning signs: go to hospital at once
Severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 7 g/dL) strains the heart and needs urgent attention.
- Severe chest pain or acute breathlessness at rest
- Sudden fainting or blacking out (syncope)
- Extremely rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Black, tarry stools or visible blood in stools
- Rapidly worsening pallor with dizziness in an elderly person
Call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The 3 phases of anaemia (low haemoglobin)
Early deficiency
Often unnoticed or mild tiredness. Iron reserves (ferritin) are depleted.
Symptomatic anaemia
Noticeable breathlessness on exertion, pale eyelids, palpitations, and fatigue.
Critical deficiency
Significant risk of high-output heart failure. Needs immediate medical treatment.
Which test shows anaemia (low haemoglobin)?
Our in-house laboratory evaluates blood indices to identify the exact cause of anaemia.
| Test | Best time | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Indices (MCV, MCH) | Same visit | Measures haemoglobin level and red cell size (microcytic vs macrocytic) |
| Serum Ferritin & Iron Studies | Next day | Measures total body iron stores to confirm iron deficiency |
| Serum Vitamin B12 & Folate | Next day | Identifies megaloblastic anaemia common in vegetarians or metformin users |
| Stool Occult Blood | For adults over 50 | Screens for hidden gastrointestinal blood loss from ulcers or polyps |
How is anaemia (low haemoglobin) treated?
Treatment addresses the root cause: therapeutic iron supplementation, vitamin B12 injections or tablets, dietary enrichment, and treating any source of occult blood loss.
At Nareddy Care
- Consultation with Professor of Medicine Dr. Vishnu Anjan Nareddy
- Complete blood count processed in our own lab with rapid results
- Selection of gentle, well-absorbed iron formulations with minimal stomach upset
- Comprehensive investigation for hidden blood loss in adult men and postmenopausal women
- Periodic haemoglobin tracking to ensure complete replenishment of body stores
Do at home
- Take prescribed iron tablets with vitamin C (lemon water or orange juice) to boost absorption
- Eat iron-rich foods: green leafy vegetables, jaggery, dates, lentils, and lean meat
- Continue iron supplements for at least 3 months after haemoglobin normalizes to rebuild bone marrow reserves
- Eat a varied diet rich in pulses, dairy, and fortified cereals
Avoid
- Drinking tea, coffee, or milk at the same time as iron tablets, which blocks iron absorption
- Stopping iron pills as soon as fatigue improves
- Assuming tiredness is 'just normal stress' without checking haemoglobin
- Taking over-the-counter multivitamin tonics with sub-therapeutic iron doses
How to prevent anaemia (low haemoglobin)
A balanced diet rich in iron and vitamin C, routine haemoglobin screening for adolescent girls and pregnant women, and regular deworming.
Questions people ask
What is a normal haemoglobin level?
For adult men, normal is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL. For non-pregnant adult women, normal is 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL. Levels below these ranges indicate anaemia.
Why do iron tablets cause constipation or dark stools?
Unabsorbed iron naturally turns stools dark green or black, which is completely harmless. Drinking plenty of water and eating fiber helps manage constipation.
Can low vitamin B12 cause anaemia?
Yes. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes large, immature red blood cells (macrocytic anaemia), common in strict vegetarians and long-term metformin users.
Adults seeDr. Vishnu Anjan NareddyMD (General Medicine)Children seeDr. Bramhini NareddyMD (Paediatrics)