What happens if anemia won't go away?

Undiagnosed or untreated iron-deficiency anemia may cause serious complications such as fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. Iron-deficiency anemia can also make other chronic conditions worse or cause their treatments to work poorly.
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Why wont my anemia go away?

If iron supplements don't increase your blood-iron levels, it's likely the anemia is due to a source of bleeding or an iron-absorption problem that your doctor will need to investigate and treat.
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What happens if you have anemia for too long?

Untreated anemia can be life-threatening and can even cause death. Anemia results in a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. In the short term, the body can compensate with an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. If left untreated, anemia can cause multi-organ failure.
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What happens if you have anemia and don't treat it?

Adults with severe anaemia may be at risk of developing complications that affect their heart or lungs. For example, you may develop tachycardia, which is an abnormally fast heartbeat, or heart failure, where the heart fails to pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.
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How long can someone live with severe anemia?

Individuals with a Hb level of 2.0 g/dL or less had on median 1.0 (interquartile range, 0.5-1.5) day from their lowest Hb to death while individuals with their lowest Hb ranging between 4.1 and 5.0 g/dL had on median 11 (interquartile range, 1-23) days from their lowest Hb to death.
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Iron deficiency anemia symptoms and treatment

What is the last stage of anemia?

During stage 3, anemia with normal-appearing RBCs and indices develops. During stage 4, microcytosis and then hypochromia develop. During stage 5, iron deficiency affects tissues, resulting in symptoms and signs.
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What level of anemia is life threatening?

A hemoglobin concentration of less than 6.5 g/dL is generally considered life-threatening, and even healthy patients can generally only tolerate a decrease to 3.5-4 g/dL before a significant increase in death from all etiologies.
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What is a red flag for anemia?

Persistent fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, pale skin, or any other symptoms of anemia; seek emergency care for any trouble breathing or change in your heart beat. Poor diet or inadequate dietary intake of vitamins and minerals. Very heavy menstrual periods.
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What's the worst that can happen if you have anemia?

With anemia, the heart must pump more blood to make up for too little oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure. Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications.
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When should I be worried about my anemia?

Call your doctor if you have any symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath. Once your doctor can find and treat the cause of your anemia, you should have more energy and start feeling like your old self again.
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Do you ever fully recover from anemia?

Can your body recover from anemia? Full recovery depends on the underlying cause of your anemic condition. Once you eliminate the cause and bring your iron levels back to normal, you can feel much better. If the underlying condition is genetic, you may need life-long treatment.
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What is permanent anemia?

Anemia of chronic disease happens when you have an autoimmune disease or other illness lasts longer than three months and that causes inflammation. Chronic inflammation can affect your body's ability to use iron needed to make enough red blood cells. Anemia happens when you don't have enough red blood cells.
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What can be mistaken for anemia?

Advanced Study
  • Crohn disease.
  • Iron.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
  • Erythema.
  • Stroke.
  • Viral hepatitis.
  • Colorectal cancer.
  • Roundworms.
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Is it bad to have anemia for years?

Anemia if not treated for a long period can lead to serious complications. These include heart failure, severe weakness and poor immunity. Anemia is a medical condition in which the person does not have enough red blood cells or RBCs. The RBCs in the blood carry iron a specialized protein called hemoglobin.
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What is the life expectancy of someone with anemia?

Aplastic anemia life expectancy varies from person to person. For some patients, the likelihood of living for at least five years is over 90%. For others, it can be significantly lower. There are many different treatment options for aplastic anemia.
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What can severe anemia turn into?

However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following:
  • Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. ...
  • Problems during pregnancy. ...
  • Growth problems.
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When to go to the ER for anemia?

Anemia may increase your risk of a heart attack. Call 911 if you have the following symptoms: Chest pain. Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
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What is considered life threatening anemia?

In general, a hemoglobin less than 6.5 gm/dL is considered life-threatening. But again, how long the body can tolerate a low hemoglobin depends on many factors, and including whether the hemoglobin is continuing to drop quickly (due an internal bleed, for instance) or is slowly drifting down.
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What does bad anemia look like?

If the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include: Blue color to the whites of the eyes. Brittle nails. Desire to eat ice or other non-food things (pica syndrome)
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What is a fatally low hemoglobin level?

A low hemoglobin level often causes noticeable symptoms, including fatigue, pale skin, trouble breathing, rapid heart rate, and, as the condition worsens, heart problems and even death. Hemoglobin levels have to be extremely low (below 6.5 g/dL) to cause death. Fortunately, low hemoglobin is reversible.
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What is the danger zone for anemia?

For men, a normal level ranges between 14.0 grams per deciliter (gm/dL) and 17.5 gm/dL. For women, a normal level ranges between 12.3 gm/dL and 15.3 gm/dL. A severe low hemoglobin level for men is 13 gm/dL or lower. For women, a severe low hemoglobin level is 12 gm/dL.
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Can you pass out from anemia?

Headache caused by iron deficiency or low hemoglobin in red blood cells. Cold hands and feet due to decreased blood circulation in the hands and feet. Fainting and syncope due to a lack of red blood cells carrying oxygen to the brain. Arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, or rhythmic heartbeat.
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