Anemia can develop when your body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells, loses too much blood, or destroys red blood cells faster than they can be replaced. Several factors can increase your risk, including frequent blood donation, heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions, age, and inherited blood disorders.
Anemia affects the body’s ability to transport oxygen efficiently. Depending on its cause and severity, symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, pale skin, or shortness of breath.
Although iron deficiency is one of the most common causes, not every case of anemia is related to low iron. Understanding your individual risk factors can help you recognize when medical testing may be appropriate.
At Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center, our hematology team evaluates blood disorders for patients in Marlton and surrounding South Jersey communities.
What Are the 7 Main Risk Factors for Anemia?
The following seven categories can increase a person’s likelihood of developing anemia. Having a risk factor does not necessarily mean you have the condition.
1. Frequent Blood Donation or Repeated Blood Loss
Donating blood removes red blood cells and iron from the body. While blood donation is generally safe for eligible donors, donating frequently may reduce iron stores, particularly when dietary iron intake is insufficient.
People who donate regularly should follow blood donation eligibility guidelines and speak with their healthcare provider if they develop unusual fatigue or low hemoglobin.
Other sources of blood loss can also contribute to anemia. These include gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding associated with surgery, and certain medical conditions that cause ongoing blood loss.
Key point: Repeated blood loss can gradually deplete iron stores, sometimes before noticeable anemia symptoms develop.
2. Age and Changes in Nutritional Needs
Anemia can occur at any age, but certain life stages carry additional risk.
Infants and young children need adequate iron to support growth and development. Adolescents may also have increased nutritional requirements during periods of rapid growth.
Older adults have a greater likelihood of developing anemia because of chronic illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, medication effects, and other underlying conditions.
Anemia should not be dismissed as a normal consequence of aging. An abnormal blood count deserves an appropriate medical evaluation.
A specialist can help investigate persistent abnormalities. Learn more about seeing a hematologist in Marlton, NJ.
3. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
People who experience heavy or prolonged menstrual periods have an increased risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
The body loses iron through bleeding. When menstrual blood loss exceeds the amount of iron that can be replaced, iron stores may gradually decline.
Signs that menstrual bleeding may be unusually heavy include frequently soaking through menstrual products, passing large blood clots, or experiencing bleeding that interferes with normal activities.
Persistent fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath alongside heavy menstrual bleeding may indicate the need for blood testing.
Key point: Heavy menstrual bleeding can cause iron deficiency, but the underlying reason for the bleeding also needs medical evaluation.
4. Pregnancy and Increased Iron Requirements
Pregnancy increases the body’s need for iron and other nutrients needed to produce healthy red blood cells.
Blood volume expands during pregnancy, and the developing fetus also requires iron. When these needs are not met, iron-deficiency anemia may develop.
Prenatal care commonly includes blood testing to monitor hemoglobin levels and identify potential deficiencies.
A healthcare professional may recommend dietary changes or supplements based on individual test results.
Pregnant patients should not begin high-dose iron supplementation without medical guidance.
5. Inadequate Iron, Vitamin B12, or Folate
The body requires several nutrients to manufacture healthy red blood cells.
Iron helps produce hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen. Vitamin B12 and folate are necessary for normal red blood cell development.
People may develop nutritional anemia because of insufficient intake, restricted diets, digestive disorders, or difficulty absorbing essential nutrients.
Examples of contributing conditions include celiac disease, certain gastrointestinal disorders, and previous surgeries affecting nutrient absorption.
Foods containing iron include meat, beans, lentils, and fortified cereals. Vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal-derived foods and fortified products, while folate is found in leafy vegetables, legumes, and other foods.
However, dietary changes alone will not correct every type of anemia. Testing is important to identify the actual deficiency before beginning treatment.
For further information about blood disorders, read why patients may need a hematologist for blood disorder treatment.
6. Chronic Medical Conditions
Certain long-term illnesses can interfere with red blood cell production or the body’s ability to use iron.
Chronic kidney disease is an important example. Healthy kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that helps stimulate red blood cell production. Reduced kidney function can lower erythropoietin production and contribute to anemia.
Other conditions associated with anemia include chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune conditions, certain cancers, and bone marrow disorders.
These conditions do not all cause anemia in the same way. Some affect blood cell production, while others contribute to inflammation, blood loss, or increased destruction of red blood cells.
Cancer treatments can also affect blood counts in some patients.
When anemia occurs alongside another illness, treatment depends on both the anemia’s cause and the underlying condition.
Read more about how a hematologist treats anemia.
7. Family History and Inherited Blood Disorders
Some forms of anemia are inherited.
Sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and certain other hereditary conditions can affect hemoglobin, red blood cell production, or the lifespan of red blood cells.
For example, sickle cell disease produces abnormal hemoglobin that can cause red blood cells to become rigid and break down prematurely. Thalassemia affects the production of hemoglobin and may result in anemia of varying severity.
A family history of a specific inherited blood disorder may increase your likelihood of having that condition or carrying an associated genetic variant.
Not all anemia is inherited, however. Many common forms develop because of nutritional deficiencies, blood loss, or acquired medical conditions.
Patients with concerning blood counts or a known family history may benefit from specialized testing and counseling.
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Anemia?
Some people with mild anemia experience few symptoms. Others notice changes that gradually interfere with everyday activities.
Common signs include:
- Persistent tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath during routine activity
- Headaches
- Pale skin
- Cold hands or feet
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Heart palpitations
These symptoms can occur with many other conditions. A diagnosis cannot be made from symptoms alone.
Severe shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or other sudden serious symptoms require emergency medical attention.
For a broader look at symptoms, read how anemia affects energy and overall health.
How Do Doctors Test for Anemia?
A complete blood count, commonly called a CBC, is frequently the first test used to identify anemia.
The CBC measures hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, and other blood components. Additional measurements can help identify patterns associated with different anemia types.
Depending on the findings, your physician may order:
- Ferritin and iron studies to evaluate iron stores
- Vitamin B12 and folate testing
- A reticulocyte count to evaluate red blood cell production
- Kidney function testing
- A peripheral blood smear
- Additional testing for blood loss, inflammation, or inherited disorders
The results help guide the next steps. A low hemoglobin level identifies anemia but does not, by itself, establish the cause.
For answers about testing and treatment, see a hematologist’s frequently asked questions about anemia.
When Should You See a Hematologist for Anemia?
Not everyone with anemia needs a specialist.
Primary care physicians frequently diagnose and manage straightforward cases of iron or vitamin deficiency. A hematology referral may be appropriate when anemia is severe, unexplained, persistent, associated with other abnormal blood counts, or unresponsive to initial treatment.
A hematologist can review laboratory trends, investigate potential causes, and help determine whether specialized testing or treatment is necessary.
If you have been referred for an evaluation, review Lindenberg’s patient information and appointment preparation resources before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anemia Risk Factors
What is the most common risk factor for anemia?
Iron deficiency is a leading cause of anemia worldwide. Common contributors include blood loss, inadequate iron intake, increased iron requirements, and impaired iron absorption. However, anemia has many causes, so medical testing is necessary to identify the correct one.
Can you have anemia even if you eat a healthy diet?
Yes. A balanced diet does not eliminate the risk of anemia. Chronic kidney disease, internal bleeding, inherited blood disorders, inflammation, and certain medications can contribute to anemia even when nutritional intake is adequate.
Can stress or lack of sleep cause anemia?
Stress and inadequate sleep are not established direct causes of anemia. Both can contribute to fatigue, which is also a common anemia symptom. Persistent tiredness should be evaluated rather than automatically attributed to stress or insufficient sleep.
Who is most at risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia?
People with heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnant individuals, frequent blood donors, young children with inadequate iron intake, and people with gastrointestinal bleeding or impaired iron absorption may have an increased risk.
Can anemia be a sign of cancer?
Sometimes. Certain cancers and their treatments can contribute to anemia, but many cases have noncancerous causes. Anemia alone does not mean someone has cancer. A physician determines whether additional evaluation is needed based on test results, symptoms, and medical history.
Is anemia dangerous if left untreated?
The potential risks depend on the cause and severity. Some cases are mild, while severe or persistent anemia can place additional strain on the body and may signal an underlying medical condition requiring treatment.
What foods help reduce the risk of anemia?
Foods containing iron, vitamin B12, and folate support healthy red blood cell production. Examples include lean meats, legumes, leafy vegetables, eggs, and fortified foods. Dietary prevention is most helpful for nutritional anemia and does not address every cause.