Anaemia is a common blood disorder that can be caused by a variety of causes. Diagnosis of anaemia is usually based on a patient’s physical examination, medical history, and laboratory test results.
Diagnostic Criteria
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that anaemia should be diagnosed using the following criteria:
• Haemoglobin level less than 13.0 g/dL in men and less than 12.0 g/dL in women.
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of less than 80 fL (femtoliters)
• Serum ferritin level less than 12 μg/L
• Blood smear showing hypochromia and microcytosis
Clinical Signs and Symptoms
Patients with anaemia may experience a variety of clinical signs and symptoms. These may include fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Other signs and symptoms may include dizziness, headache, cold hands and feet, and pale skin.
Additional Tests
In addition to the diagnostic criteria listed above, additional tests may be ordered to help determine the cause of anaemia. These tests may include a complete blood count, a red blood cell count, a reticulocyte count, a serum iron test, a total iron-binding capacity test, and a ferritin test. Further testing may include a bone marrow biopsy, a serum vitamin B12 test, and a serum folate test.
Conclusion
Anaemia is a common blood disorder that can be caused by a variety of causes. Diagnosis of anaemia is usually based on a patient’s physical examination, medical history, and laboratory test results. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that anaemia should be diagnosed using the criteria listed above. Additional tests may be ordered to help determine the cause of anaemia. Patients with anaemia may experience a variety of clinical signs and symptoms.