Anemia

What is Anemia?
Anemia is a pathological condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood (the threshold level is the level of protein containing iron (hemoglobin) in the blood below 120 g/l). It can be an independent disease, accompany the course of other diseases, or complicate them.

This occurs with nonspecific symptoms – it is impossible to definitively diagnose anemia based solely on symptoms; examinations are necessary to clarify the diagnosis. In later stages, the disease worsens the patient’s condition and exacerbates the underlying pathological process upon which it is based. Therefore, it is important to promptly diagnose anemia and identify its causes. This will enable the patient to begin treatment in a timely manner and avoid complications.

Red blood cells are erythrocytes; they lack a cell nucleus but contain a special protein containing iron – hemoglobin (Hb), which performs the most important function of gas exchange in the body (transfers oxygen from the lungs to tissues and removes carbon dioxide from them). Therefore, a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood leads to a decrease in the hemoglobin level. There is another important concept – hematocrit (Hct) – which is the percentage of red blood cells relative to blood plasma.

About the Disease
Anemia is a common condition in hematology. Depending on the type, individuals of all ages and genders can suffer from it, but children, pregnant women, and the elderly are more likely to experience it.

Red blood cells and the hemoglobin protein they contain ensure the saturation of the body’s cells with oxygen. A deficiency in these blood components negatively affects the disease – the body lacks oxygen, and the functioning of many organs and systems is disrupted.

Types of Anemia
There are several classifications of anemia today.

Based on the size of red blood cells, they are distinguished as follows:

• Microcytic (red blood cell size is smaller than normal; includes diseases such as thalassemia, microspherocytosis, and iron-deficiency anemia).

• Macrocytic (red blood cell size is larger than average; observed in anemia due to deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate, myelodysplastic syndrome, and erythroleukemia).

• Normocytic anemia (size of erythrocytes within normal values; includes hemolytic and hypoplastic anemia, anemia with myelodysplastic syndrome, and those developed in the context of chronic somatic diseases).

In men, anemia is determined by the following indicators:

• Hemoglobin level < 130 g/l
• Hematocrit < 42% or red blood cell count < 4.5 x 10^12 cells/l

In women:

• Hemoglobin < 120 g/l
• Hematocrit < 37% or red blood cell count < 4 x 10^12 cells/l

For children, normal indicators change with age, so special age-specific tables should be used.

There are types of hereditary anemia:

If the structure of the erythrocyte membrane is disrupted:

• Minkowski-Chauffard anemia (microspherocytic hemolytic anemia, or hereditary spherocytosis) is a disease based on a defect in the membrane proteins of red blood cells.
• Ovalocytosis (elliptocytosis) is a disease where red blood cells have an oval or elliptical shape.
• Acanthocytosis is the presence of red blood cells with various cytoplasmic protrusions in peripheral blood.