Low Hemoglobin

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Low hemoglobin, also known as anemia, is a condition in which the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is below normal levels.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.

Anemia can result from a variety of causes, including nutritional deficiencies, blood loss, and chronic diseases. The symptoms can vary in severity depending on the cause and the extent of the hemoglobin reduction.

Pathology	Clinical Symptoms and Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Microcytic anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, cold hands and feet	History of poor iron intake, chronic symptoms	Complete blood count (CBC), low MCV, iron and ferritin levels, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
Macrocytic anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, glossitis, paresthesias	History of poor vitamin B12 or folate intake	CBC, high MCV, vitamin B12 and folate levels
Normocytic anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness	History of chronic diseases, renal failure	CBC, normal MCV, renal and liver function tests