This is a condition where there can be increased health risks to the world’s population. It is probably best defined as a reduced haemoglobin concentration which will reduce the amount of oxygen available to the body’s tissues and organs. (WHO 2015)

Is anaemia classified as a disease in its own right? Haemoglobin levels reveal whether anaemia is present or not, but anaemia is a manifestation of an underlying disease process. There are many causes for a  low haemoglobin:

Low circulating haemoglobin levels from bleeding caused by trauma and surgical procedures. Bleeding can also occur frequently from the GI tract, GU tract and other areas.

Nutritional deficit will also cause anaemia. Iron deficiency is the most common worldwide cause. Vitamin B_12, Folate Vitamin A and Riboflavin are required in the production of red cells.

Reduced production of red blood cells will lower haemoglobin levels, an example is reduced erythropoietin production in chronic kidney disease.

Increased destruction of red cells caused by haemolysis will cause anaemia. Reduced red cell life span will lower haemoglobin levels, which can be caused by increased urea levels.  (Macdougall, 2001).

Other causes for anaemia may be chronic inflammation and infections, inherited conditions such as haemoglobinopathies.  It should be remembered that some medications required to treat other conditions can have a detrimental effect on haemoglobin levels.