Anemia
What causes anemia?
Low hemoglobin (or anemia) occurs for many different reasons. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia.
Other causes include
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- blood breakdown (hemolysis)
- altered function of vital organs (such as kidney or heart disease)
- various types of cancers
Removal of blood through donation can cause or worsen anemia (see below for information about prevention).
How can donating blood become a potential cause of anemia?
When people donate whole blood, red cells that have hemoglobin and iron are removed. Each whole blood donation reduces hemoglobin levels by approximately 10 g/L and reduces the body’s iron stores. Donors produce new blood to replenish the donation. Iron is an essential building block of blood. If your iron levels are low, your body may have more difficulty replenishing blood, hemoglobin does not return to prior levels and anemia can develop.
If you have anemia, please return to donating once the cause of anemia has been determined and treated showing improved hemoglobin.
Related FAQs
What are symptoms of anemia?
Anemia can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, lowered exercise tolerance, light-headedness and difficulty concentrating.
How can I prevent anemia due to blood donation?
Anemia from blood donation usually occurs due to depletion of the iron stores. All donors should consider iron supplements under medical supervision to help replenish their iron stores.
Which foods are high in iron for anemia?
Iron-rich foods may contain either heme iron or non-heme iron.
Heme iron, which is from animal sources, is more easily absorbed by the body. It is found in beef, lamb, pork, veal, chicken, turkey (organ meat and dark meat has more iron), fish and seafood.
Non-heme iron, which is from plant sources, is less easily absorbed by the body. It is found in breakfast cereals (fortified with iron), breads and pasta (whole grain and enriched), lentils, dried peas and beans, tofu, seeds and nuts (pumpkin, sesame or peanut), dried fruit (raisins or apricots), eggs and dark green, leafy vegetables.
How can you treat anemia?
We recommend that you see your healthcare provider to check your hemoglobin and iron stores (ferritin). Your healthcare provider will investigate reasons why your hemoglobin may be low and may suggest taking iron supplementation.