Easly’s Comprehensive Anemia Test: A Path to Vitality

Anemia is a medical condition characterized by a reduced number of healthy red blood cells or a lack of adequate hemoglobin. This deficiency hampers the efficient transportation of oxygen to the body’s tissues. With Easly’s Comprehensive Anemia Test, you can not only determine the presence of anemia but also pinpoint its potential cause.

Primary Causes of Anemia

Anemia can arise from various factors. The predominant causes include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and certain diseases:

Iron Deficiency:

Iron is a vital component for hemoglobin synthesis. A shortage of iron implies that the body can’t produce enough hemoglobin, leading to compromised oxygen delivery to tissues. This condition is termed iron deficiency anemia. The root causes of iron deficiency can range from dietary insufficiencies in iron to conditions that result in blood loss, such as post-operative scenarios or heavy menstrual cycles.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in hemoglobin production. A deficiency in this vitamin can stem from malabsorption issues in the stomach or intestines, excessive alcohol consumption, or adhering to a strict vegetarian or vegan diet.

Underlying Diseases:

Chronic ailments like rheumatism or cancer can interfere with hemoglobin production or expedite the breakdown of red blood cells. Also, genetic conditions, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, are also known culprits behind anemia. These hereditary diseases are more prevalent in regions like the Mediterranean, Africa, and countries like Suriname compared to places like the Netherlands.

In some cases, infections, including ear infections or gastroenteritis, can lead to temporary anemia, particularly in pediatric populations. Recognizing and addressing the root cause of anemia is crucial for effective treatment and management.

Symptoms and Complaints

Depending on the underlying medical causes, various symptoms may occur with anemia. These symptoms can differ from person to person and are related to the severity of the anemia. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you have anemia.

Common symptoms include:

• A tired and weak feeling
• Quickly becoming short of breath during exertion
• Dizziness
• Feeling faint
• Palpitations
• Sweating
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears
• With severe anemia: paleness, less color in the face

How can you measure anemia?

During the anemia blood test, various biomarkers are tested and evaluated to get as complete a picture as possible of blood health. Below we explain what we look at during the test.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen. A low hemoglobin level may indicate anemia.

Hematocrit

The hematocrit value is the percentage of blood volume taken up by red blood cells. If the hematocrit is too low, there may be anemia.

Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, are responsible for transporting oxygen – fuel for body cells – throughout the body. A deficiency in erythrocytes may indicate anemia.

Leukocytes

Leukocytes are white blood cells. They play a crucial role in the immune system and help protect the body against infections. A leukocyte count helps detect possible infections that may cause anemia.

Platelets

This is the scientific name for blood platelets. Platelets are involved in blood clotting and stopping bleeding. If the number of platelets in the blood deviates, it may indicate underlying health problems.

MCV/MCH/MCHC

These abbreviations refer to the average volume, average hemoglobin, and average concentration of red blood cells, respectively. Since these indicators provide information about the size and content of red blood cells, they can help identify different types of anemia.

eGFR+creatinine

The estimated glomerular filtration rate and creatinine – a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle tissue, processed by the kidneys – provide an indication of kidney function. These values are determined because kidney damage can be an underlying cause of anemia.

Iron, ferritin, and transferrin

Iron deficiency anemia is needed for the production of hemoglobin, and transferrin is a protein that transports iron. Ferritin, in turn, binds iron in its storage in the bone marrow and liver. These values, therefore, say something about iron status.

Transferrin Saturation

Transferrin saturation is the percentage of transferrin saturated with iron. Determining this biomarker helps evaluate iron status during anemia screening.

Vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, and vitamin B11/folic acid

Deficiencies of these vitamins can cause B12 and folic acid deficiency anemia and are therefore mapped in the Comprehensive Blood Test for Anemia.