Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. Having anemia may make you feel tired and weak.
There are several types of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe.
Anemia is typically detected during a routine blood test such as a complete blood count (CBC). If your blood test indicates anemia, your doctor may advise you to undergo additional diagnostic tests to determine the cause so that you can get appropriate treatment.
What are the levels of anemia?
Anemia is classified into different categories based on the results of your blood test:
| Anemia Level | Hemoglobin Level |
|---|---|
| Mild anemia | 10.0 to 11.9 g/dL for women 10.0 to 12.9 g/dL for men |
| Moderate anemia | 8.0 to 9.9 g/dL |
| Severe anemia | Less than 8.0 g/dL |
Hemoglobin is the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. It is measured in grams per deciliter (g/dL).
Normal hemoglobin levels vary slightly between men and women:
– For women, normal levels are typically between 12.0 and 15.5 g/dL.
– For men, normal levels are typically between 13.5 and 17.5 g/dL.
What hemoglobin level is considered extremely anemic?
A hemoglobin level below 8 g/dL is considered severe anemia. This level of anemia is considered extremely or very severe.
Some key points about extremely severe anemia:
– Hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL indicates an advanced or life-threatening level of anemia. Immediate medical attention is required.
– Symptoms are often severe and can include extreme fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and an irregular heartbeat.
– The most common causes are acute blood loss, vitamin deficiency, or bone marrow disorders. Finding and treating the underlying cause is critical.
– Transfusions of red blood cells may be needed to improve oxygen delivery. Supplemental iron or vitamins can also help treat nutritional causes.
– Without treatment, major organ damage can occur due to inadequate oxygen supply to tissues. Extremely low hemoglobin puts patients at risk of heart failure, organ dysfunction, and even death.
So in summary, a hemoglobin level below 8 g/dL is considered extremely or very severely anemic. Prompt medical treatment is essential for low levels this low.
What are the symptoms of severe anemia?
The most common symptoms of severe anemia include:
– Fatigue – This is often described as feeling constantly exhausted. Daily tasks require major effort.
– Weakness – You may feel generally weak or have specific muscle weakness like trouble climbing stairs.
– Dizziness or lightheadedness – Lower blood oxygen can make you feel faint when standing up or changing position.
– Shortness of breath – Your body struggles to deliver enough oxygen to your tissues during activity or even at rest.
– Chest pain – This can feel like pressure or squeezing sensations in the chest. It may worsen with exertion.
– Heart palpitations – You may be aware of an irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat.
– Pale skin – With severe anemia, the skin and mucous membranes can appear pale or whitish.
– Headache – When oxygen levels in the brain are low, headaches are common.
If you develop any of these symptoms, see your doctor. They can check your hemoglobin level with a simple blood test. Getting prompt treatment for severe anemia is important to avoid complications.
What are the causes of extremely severe anemia?
There are several potential causes of a hemoglobin level dropping below 8 g/dL:
– Acute blood loss – Losing a large volume of blood rapidly can lead to critical anemia. Causes include trauma, major surgery, gastrointestinal bleeding from an ulcer, or ruptured aneurysm.
– Nutrient deficiencies – A lack of iron, folate, or vitamin B12 can cause anemia to develop gradually and worsen over time. These nutrients are essential to make new red blood cells.
– Bone marrow problems – Diseases that affect the bone marrow and its ability to produce blood cells can cause severe anemia. Examples are leukemia, myelofibrosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome.
– Hemolysis – Some disorders cause red blood cells to break down prematurely. The body cannot compensate by making cells quickly enough. Causes include sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
– Chronic diseases – Ongoing illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney failure, and hypothyroidism are associated with extremely severe anemia.
– Inherited conditions – Rare genetic conditions such as Fanconi anemia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia, and Diamond-Blackfan anemia can severely impair red blood cell production.
Diagnostic testing like a bone marrow biopsy can help determine the underlying cause in a patient with critical anemia. Finding and treating the cause is vital whenever possible.
How is extremely severe anemia treated?
Treating anemia when hemoglobin levels fall below 8 g/dL has two main goals:
1. Raise hemoglobin levels quickly to improve oxygen delivery
2. Treat the underlying cause
Treatment approaches may include:
– Blood transfusions – This rapidly increases hemoglobin levels. Packed red blood cells from donors are given intravenously. Transfusions may be emergent if the anemia is causing life-threatening heart or respiratory problems. Ongoing transfusions are sometimes needed in chronic anemia.
– Iron supplements – For iron deficiency anemia, oral or intravenous iron can help restore normal iron levels so your body can produce more red blood cells. Vitamin supplements may also be appropriate.
– Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents – Medications like epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. They are often used in kidney disease.
– Corticosteroids – Steroids help suppress an overactive immune system that may be destroying red blood cells too quickly. They are used in autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
– Chemotherapy or immunosuppressants – These medications treat the underlying bone marrow disorder or autoimmune disease that is causing severe anemia.
– Surgery – Procedures may be done to stop bleeding or remove a tumor compressing the bone marrow. Resection of an affected spleen may help some forms of anemia.
In many cases, such as acute blood loss or nutritional deficiencies, the anemia will improve when the underlying cause is addressed. Close monitoring of hemoglobin levels is needed to ensure treatment is effective.
What are the complications of severe untreated anemia?
Extremely low hemoglobin levels can have severe consequences if left untreated. Potential complications include:
– Heart failure – To compensate for low oxygen, the heart beats faster trying to pump more blood. But sustained stress leads to a weakened, enlarged heart prone to fluid buildup and failure.
– Irregular heartbeat – Low oxygen alters the heart’s electrical system. This can cause a rapid, irregular pulse that may be life-threatening.
– Angina or heart attack – The heart muscle itself suffers without enough oxygen. Chest pain or heart damage can occur.
– Organ damage – Other vital organs like the brain, liver, and kidneys rely on oxygenated blood. Without it, they become dysfunctional.
– Pregnancy complications – Severe anemia increases the risks of preterm delivery, low birth weight, stillbirths, and newborn deaths.
– Stroke – Blood cells thickened by anemia have higher risk of clotting and blocking blood flow to the brain.
– Infection – Anemia impairs the body’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses. Even minor infections can become overwhelming.
– Growth and development issues – Anemia limits oxygen to tissues needed for children to grow and develop properly.
– Reduced quality of life – The fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath make normal physical activities difficult.
Catching and treating severe anemia promptly minimizes the likelihood of these serious complications occurring. Never ignore the symptoms of extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or racing heartbeat as they can be signs of dangerously low hemoglobin.
Can extremely low hemoglobin be fatal?
Yes, extremely severe anemia with hemoglobin levels dropping below 8 g/dL can potentially be fatal in some cases if not treated promptly.
Some key points about how critical anemia can be life-threatening:
– The heart can fail from the high exertion needed to pump oxygenated blood through the body with reduced red blood cells. Heart failure causes fluid in the lungs and prevents proper oxygenation.
– Vital organs like the brain, kidneys, and liver can be irreparably damaged when deprived of oxygen for extended periods. Organ failure can develop.
– Severe anemia leaves the body vulnerable to sudden bleeding episodes or infections that can overwhelm the system rapidly. These may be fatal.
– Some of the underlying bone marrow disorders causing severe anemia are cancers like leukemia which may not be curable even with treatment.
– In rare cases, extremely low hemoglobin levels below 3 g/dL lead to coma or even sudden death due to the brain not getting enough oxygen.
– Children and pregnant women with critical anemia are especially vulnerable to complications leading to death without prompt transfusion.
Mortality rates from severe anemia range widely based on the underlying cause and availability of modern treatment. But extremely low hemoglobin levels do carry a high risk of mortality if they persist untreated. Seeking immediate medical care for symptoms of severe anemia is crucial.
Can you live a normal life with chronic severe anemia?
Living a “normal” life with a hemoglobin level persistently below 8 g/dL is very difficult in most cases. However, some steps can be taken to adapt:
– Follow doctor’s orders – Take any medications prescribed, get blood tests as directed, and do not miss treatments like transfusions when needed. This helps stabilize hemoglobin levels as much as possible.
– Exercise cautiously – Some activity boosts oxygen circulation but overexertion can cause problems. Know your limits.
– Eat healthy, vitamin-rich foods – Nutrients aid red blood cell production. But avoid overly salty foods that exacerbate fluid retention.
– Use supplemental oxygen if prescribed – This makes activities easier and provides support when hemoglobin drops very low.
– Get enough rest – Don’t fight fatigue; take naps and sleep longer at night as needed. Save energy for priorities.
– Maintain good hygiene – Preventing infections is crucial for those with compromised immune systems.
– Utilize support services – Home health aides, transport services, meal delivery, and support groups facilitate independence.
– Stay positive – Accept limitations, ask for help, and focus on fulfilling activities that enrich your life despite challenges.
Adaptations allow some with chronic severe anemia to maintain independent and engaging lifestyles. But their condition requires diligent monitoring and rigorous care to stabilize hemoglobin levels. It is not easy to feel “normal” with extremely low blood oxygen levels.
Conclusion
A hemoglobin level below 8 g/dL is considered extremely or very severely anemic. This degree of anemia becomes a critical, life-threatening medical emergency requiring prompt treatment.
Key causes of such severe anemia include acute major blood loss, bone marrow disorders, hemolytic diseases, and critical nutrient deficiencies. Transfusions to rapidly boost hemoglobin levels are typically needed, along with treating the underlying cause.
Extremely low hemoglobin comes with a high risk of complications like heart failure, organ damage, and irregular heart rhythms. Severe untreated anemia can be fatal in some cases. But with modern treatment, outcomes have greatly improved.
Living with chronic severe anemia requires adaptations to prevent overexertion and closely monitor hemoglobin levels. While it may not be possible to feel “normal,” some people do achieve fulfilling lives with proper medical care and lifestyle adjustments.
