If the number of red blood cells--a type of immune cell--within your blood dip below normal levels, you can develop a medical condition called anemia. Anemia can be caused by a deficiency in iron or vitamins and can also develop as a result of disease or genetic predisposition. Talk with your doctor if you develop any of the symptoms for anemia to ensure that you receive appropriate treatment and care.
Fatigue
The most common symptom for patients with anemia is fatigue. The red blood cells help carry oxygen throughout your body, which your cells use to produce energy. Decreased red blood cell levels due to anemia can interfere with this exchange, leading to poor energy levels within the body. When this occurs, patients experience abnormal or excessive fatigue that can interfere with mental alertness. Symptoms of fatigue are often accompanied by significant muscle weakness, making it difficult for patients with this condition to move about normally.
Breathing Difficulties and Heartbeat Irregularities
Decreased oxygen levels within the body due to anemia can lead to breathing difficulties in some patients. Cells, tissues and organs--such as the heart or lungs--that do not receive a sufficient supply of oxygen can begin to malfunction. If this occurs, anemic patients can experience chest pain or shortness of breath, warn health professionals at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This condition can also cause patients to develop heartbeat irregularities, such as an increased heart rate.
Headache
Anemic patients can develop frequent headaches due to poor oxygen levels within the blood. Painful headache symptoms can vary in severity from mild to severe and may develop within any region of the head. These symptoms of anemia are often accompanied by sensations of lightheadedness or dizziness, which can affect a patient's ability to move about normally. Symptoms of headache and dizziness can also contribute to the emergence of fatigue and weakness in some patients.
Mood or Behavior Changes
Anemia can lead to mood and behavior changes in certain patients. Such changes can include increased irritability, confusion or decreased sex drive (libido), explain medical professionals at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. These changes have the potential to negatively affect work, school or social relationships.
Pale Skin
Low levels of oxygen within the blood due to a decreased red blood cell count can affect the appearance of the skin. Patients with anemia often appear pale or sickly due to poor blood supply to the skin. Skin-related symptoms often occur in conjunction with other signs of anemia, such as fatigue or headache.
