The diagnostic criterion for anemia is generally based on three main criteria: the hemoglobin value, the hematocrit value, and the red blood cell count.
A hemoglobin value below 13.5 g/dL in males and 12 g/dL in females is generally considered anemia. Hematocrit values, which measure the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, are also low in anemia, usually below 39% in men and 36% in women.
The red blood cell count, or RBC count, is also used to diagnose anemia. An RBC count below 4.2 million red blood cells per microliter in men and below 3.5 million red blood cells per microliter in women is considered anemia.
Additional criteria that may be used to diagnose anemia include the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). The MCV is the average size of red blood cells and is usually lower than normal in anemia. The MCH is the average amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell and is usually lower than normal in anemia.
Other laboratory tests used to diagnose anemia may include serum iron, ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Low levels of serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC are indicative of anemia.
When diagnosing anemia, it is important to consider the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and other laboratory tests results. For example, a patient with iron deficiency anemia may have a low serum iron level and low ferritin level. A patient with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia may have a low MCV and MCH.
In conclusion, the diagnostic criterion for anemia is based on three main criteria: the hemoglobin value, the hematocrit value, and the red blood cell count. Additional laboratory tests may be used to diagnose anemia and it is important to consider the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and other laboratory tests results as well.