Anaemia and low haemoglobin
Anaemia means there is less haemoglobin in the blood than normal, so the body gets less oxygen. It causes tiredness, breathlessness and pale skin, and it is very common in India, especially in women. Anaemia is a sign, not a diagnosis: the important question is why it has happened. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das finds the cause and treats it, rather than only giving iron.
At a glance
- Anaemia in adults: haemoglobin below 13 g/dL in men, below 12 g/dL in non-pregnant women, and below 11 g/dL in pregnancy (WHO)
- How common: more than half of women aged 15 to 49 in India have anaemia (NFHS-5)
- Common causes: low iron, low vitamin B12 or folate, heavy periods, worms, blood loss from the stomach or bowel, long-term illness, kidney disease, and inherited haemoglobin conditions
- Local note: haemoglobin E trait and other inherited haemoglobin conditions are common in Northeast India and can look like iron deficiency
- At Medcare: consultation, examination and a cause-focused test plan (lab of your choice)
Symptoms
- Tiredness and weakness
- Breathlessness on effort
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Pale skin, lips or nails
- Dizziness, headache
- Hair fall, brittle nails
- Craving to eat ice, mud or chalk (in iron deficiency)
What happens at Medcare
- History. Diet, periods, pregnancies, blood donation, stomach symptoms, stool colour, worms, family history, medicines (including long-term diabetes or acidity medicines that can lower B12).
- Examination. Pallor, heart and lungs, abdomen, and signs that point to a cause.
- Tests. Blood count with red cell indices, iron studies, B12 and folate as needed, kidney and thyroid tests, stool tests, and haemoglobin electrophoresis when an inherited condition is suspected.
- Find the cause. For example, heavy periods, worms or a bleeding source. Older adults with iron deficiency may need a stomach and bowel check, and Dr. Das will explain why.
- Treatment. Iron, B12 or folate as needed, by mouth or injection, plus treatment of the cause. Inherited conditions are explained, including what they mean for family planning.
- Follow-up. Haemoglobin rechecked after a few weeks to make sure treatment is working.
- History. Diet, periods, pregnancies, blood donation, stomach symptoms, stool colour, worms, family history, medicines (including long-term diabetes or acidity medicines that can lower B12).
- Examination. Pallor, heart and lungs, abdomen, and signs that point to a cause.
- Tests. Blood count with red cell indices, iron studies, B12 and folate as needed, kidney and thyroid tests, stool tests, and haemoglobin electrophoresis when an inherited condition is suspected.
- Find the cause. For example, heavy periods, worms or a bleeding source. Older adults with iron deficiency may need a stomach and bowel check, and Dr. Das will explain why.
- Treatment. Iron, B12 or folate as needed, by mouth or injection, plus treatment of the cause. Inherited conditions are explained, including what they mean for family planning.
- Follow-up. Haemoglobin rechecked after a few weeks to make sure treatment is working.
Food that helps
- Iron-rich foods: green leafy vegetables, dal, chana, rajma, eggs, fish, meat, liver, jaggery in moderation
- Vitamin C with meals (lemon, amla, guava, orange) helps iron absorption
- Avoid tea or coffee within an hour of iron-rich meals or iron tablets
- Vitamin B12 comes mainly from milk, curd, eggs, fish and meat; strict vegetarians may need supplements
When to see a doctor urgently
Seek urgent care or call 108 or 112 for: breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or very heavy bleeding.
FAQs
Should I just take iron tablets for anaemia?
Not without knowing the cause. Iron helps only if you are short of iron, and anaemia can also come from low B12, inherited haemoglobin conditions, kidney disease or long-term illness. Taking iron when it is not needed can cause harm. A few simple tests show the cause.
Why is anaemia so common in women?
Monthly periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding and diets low in iron all reduce iron stores. More than half of Indian women of reproductive age have anaemia. Treating heavy periods, eating iron-rich food and taking supplements when advised make a real difference.
What is haemoglobin E trait?
It is an inherited change in haemoglobin that is common in Northeast India. Carriers usually have no or mild symptoms but may have small red cells that look like iron deficiency on reports. Knowing about it avoids unnecessary iron and matters for family planning.
Can diabetes medicines cause anaemia?
Long-term use of a common diabetes medicine can lower vitamin B12 in some people, which can cause anaemia and nerve problems. Kidney disease from diabetes can also cause anaemia. People with long-standing diabetes should have B12 and haemoglobin checked from time to time.
How long does it take to recover?
With the right treatment, haemoglobin usually starts rising within 2 to 4 weeks, and iron stores take about 3 months to fill. Continue treatment as advised even after you feel better. A follow-up blood test confirms recovery.
Sources
- World Health Organization, haemoglobin thresholds for anaemia (2024 guideline)
- National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5), India
- Anemia Mukt Bharat programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Related care
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.