Many types of anemia are diagnosed early by routine blood tests
during regular physical exams. If not, anemia may be diagnosed
when you describe your symptoms to a doctor. The doctor will ask
about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical
exam. If your symptoms suggest anemia or other blood conditions,
you will have a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC).
A CBC determines the number of red blood cells and the amount of
hemoglobin in your blood. If you have too few red blood cells or
too little hemoglobin, you are considered to have anemia. The
next task for your doctor is to determining what type of anemia
you have and what is causing it. Based on your medical history
and your CBC, your doctor may be able to determine the cause. A
careful assessment of your dietary intake, medical and surgical
history, and bowel function may be helpful. Common causes of
nutritional anemia include: - Iron deficiency, which can be
detected in the results of your CBC - Hidden blood loss, which
may appea