Living with Anemia: More Than Just Feeling Tired

 We’ve all had days where we feel drained — low energy, no motivation, just dragging through. But imagine that feeling every single day. For some people, that’s not just a bad day — it’s anemia.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia happens when your blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen to your body. Most of the time, it’s because you don’t have enough hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. And without enough oxygen? Everything slows down — your muscles, your brain, your energy.

Common Symptoms

Fatigue (even after a full night's sleep)

Pale or yellowish skin

Shortness of breath

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Fast or irregular heartbeat

Cold hands and feet

Headaches

I once saw a woman in her mid-30s come in for “feeling lazy all the time.” Her labs showed a hemoglobin of 7 g/dL (normal is 12–15). She had no idea she was severely anemic — she just thought she was “out of shape.”

Causes of Anemia

There’s not just one cause of anemia. The main types include:

Iron-deficiency anemia – Most common. Caused by blood loss (e.g., heavy periods), poor diet, or absorption issues.

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency – Especially in vegetarians or those with digestive problems.

Chronic disease anemia – Seen in long-term conditions like kidney disease or cancer.

Hemolytic anemia – When red blood cells are destroyed faster than they’re made.

Aplastic anemia – Bone marrow stops making enough blood cells (rare, but serious).

Diagnosis

Doctors usually start with a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell indices. If needed, further tests include:

Iron studies

Vitamin B12/folate levels

Reticulocyte count

Peripheral blood smear

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause:

Iron supplements for iron-deficiency anemia (with Vitamin C to boost absorption)

Diet changes: Red meat, leafy greens, beans, fortified cereals

Vitamin B12 shots or pills

Treating the underlying disease in chronic anemia

In severe cases: Blood transfusion

A key tip: iron pills can cause stomach upset and black stools — don't panic, it’s common.

Living with Anemia

Anemia isn’t just a lab value. It affects quality of life. Some of my classmates didn’t know they had iron-deficiency anemia until they started struggling with concentration during long shifts. Once they were treated, it was like a fog had lifted.

You might look “normal” on the outside, but the body is working extra hard inside. That’s why early diagnosis matters.

Final Thoughts

Anemia is common — and often overlooked. If you're feeling unusually tired, don’t just brush it off. It could be your body's quiet way of saying, “I need help.”