Potentially fatal anaemia cases are on the rise – watch out for lesser-known signs, urges expert

April 25, 2024 - PRLog -- Recent research reveals anaemia, a potentially fatal condition often caused by iron deficiency, is on the rise. Cases have risen by 420 million over the last three decades and one fourth of the global population are now anaemic. Women are more likely to have the condition. 31.2% of women have anaemia compared to 17.5% of men.

In the UK, 57,000 emergency admissions each year are due to iron deficiency anaemia. 23% of pregnant women in Britain have the condition and up to 12% of all premenopausal women.

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: 'Anaemia, often caused by iron deficiency, can be a killer if left untreated. Anaemia results in a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. In the short term, the body tries to compensate with an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. However, this is not sustainable long term and can lead to heart failure, angina, arrhythmias, cognitive impairment and renal failure. In pregnant women, untreated anaemia can cause premature birth and low birth weight.

'It is also important to note that people can become anaemic if they are deficient in Vitamin B12 and folic acid. At times, anaemia can become a precursor for a more serious underlying medical condition.

'There are a number of quite well-known symptoms that many people are aware of. These include tiredness and a lack of energy, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and a pale complexion. It's important that all Brits look out for these lesser-known signs:

• frequent headache
• tinnitus (a noise in the ears)
• an altered sense of taste
• feeling itchy
• a sore or abnormally smooth tongue
• hair loss
• a desire to eat non-food items, such as ice, paper or clay (known as pica)
• difficulty swallowing (known as dysphagia)
• painful, open ulcers on the corners of the mouth
• spoon-shaped nails

'London Medical Laboratory's Iron Status Profile test will comprehensively analyse the body's iron levels and stores by measuring iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation and iron-binding capacity. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 120 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/iron-status-profile