Anaemia is one of the most common blood conditions in the world, yet many people walk around with it for months sometimes even years without knowing they have it. Simply put, anaemia occurs when your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues.
Haemoglobin is a protein found inside red blood cells. Its job is to pick up oxygen from your lungs and deliver it to every organ, muscle, and cell in your body. When haemoglobin levels drop below normal, your organs do not get enough oxygen, and that is when you start to feel tired, weak, breathless, or dizzy.
In India, anaemia is a significant public health issue. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), more than 57% of women between 15 and 49 years of age in India are anaemic. Children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with certain chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable.
The good news is that anaemia is highly detectable with simple blood tests and, in most cases, treatable once the underlying cause is identified. That is why learning how to check for anaemia early is so important.
Many people dismiss the early signs of anaemia as everyday tiredness or stress. This delay in getting tested can lead to worsening symptoms, reduced quality of life, and in severe cases, complications affecting the heart and other vital organs.
Here is why you should not delay checking for anaemia:
Getting a blood test to check for anaemia is quick, affordable, and can provide life-changing information.
One of the reasons anaemia often goes undetected is that its symptoms can be vague and easy to brush off. However, if you are experiencing several of these signs together, it is a strong signal that you should check for anaemia with a blood test.
If you notice any combination of these symptoms especially persistent tiredness, pale skin, or breathlessness please do not ignore them. Visit a diagnostic centre and get a haemoglobin test or CBC blood test done at the earliest.
Understanding the type of anaemia you have is crucial because the treatment varies depending on the cause. Here are the most common types:
This is the most common type worldwide. It happens when your body does not have enough iron to produce haemoglobin. Causes include:
Lack of Vitamin B12 leads to large, abnormal red blood cells that do not function properly. Causes include:
Folate (Vitamin B9) is necessary for producing healthy red blood cells. Causes include:
This type occurs alongside long-term illnesses such as:
This occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. It can be inherited (like in sickle cell anaemia or thalassemia) or acquired.
A rare but serious condition where the bone marrow stops producing enough blood cells. This can be caused by autoimmune diseases, radiation exposure, or certain medications.
These are inherited genetic disorders common in certain communities in India. They affect the shape and function of red blood cells.
The most reliable way to check for anaemia is through blood tests conducted at a certified diagnostic centre. Here is a breakdown of the tests your doctor may recommend:
If you have symptoms of anaemia, your first step should be to consult a doctor or visit a trusted diagnostic centre. Based on your symptoms, they will advise the appropriate tests.
A small blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. The process takes just a few minutes and is relatively painless.
The blood sample is sent to a pathology laboratory where trained technicians and pathologists analyse it using advanced equipment.
|
Test |
What It Checks |
|
Complete Blood Count (CBC) |
Overall picture of blood health including RBC, WBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and platelets |
|
Haemoglobin Test |
Measures the amount of haemoglobin in the blood |
|
Haematocrit |
Percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells |
|
Peripheral Blood Smear |
Examines the shape and size of red blood cells under a microscope |
|
Serum Ferritin Test |
Measures iron storage in the body |
|
Serum Iron Test |
Measures the amount of iron in the blood |
|
TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) |
Checks how well iron is being transported in the blood |
|
Vitamin B12 Test |
Measures B12 levels in the blood |
|
Folate Test |
Measures folate (B9) levels |
|
Reticulocyte Count |
Measures young red blood cells indicates how fast RBCs are being produced |
|
LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) |
Elevated in haemolytic anaemia |
|
Bone Marrow Biopsy |
Used in rare cases to check how blood cells are being produced |
At NDC Diagnostic, all these tests are available under one roof across multiple locations, ensuring you get accurate and timely results.
Haemoglobin is measured in grams per decilitre (g/dL) of blood. Here are the standard reference ranges:
|
Category |
Normal Range (g/dL) |
|
Men (Adult) |
13.5 – 17.5 g/dL |
|
Women (Adult) |
12.0 – 15.5 g/dL |
|
Pregnant Women |
11.0 g/dL or above |
|
Children (6 months – 6 years) |
11.0 – 14.0 g/dL |
|
Children (6–14 years) |
12.0 – 16.0 g/dL |
|
Elderly Men |
12.5 – 17.5 g/dL |
|
Elderly Women |
11.5 – 15.5 g/dL |
|
Severity |
Haemoglobin Level (g/dL) |
|
Mild Anaemia |
10 – 12 g/dL (women) / 10 – 13 g/dL (men) |
|
Moderate Anaemia |
8 – 10 g/dL |
|
Severe Anaemia |
6 – 8 g/dL |
|
Very Severe Anaemia |
Below 6 g/dL |
If your haemoglobin is below the normal range for your age and gender, your doctor will consider it as anaemia and recommend further tests to find out the cause.
It is important to note that haemoglobin alone does not tell the full story. You need a complete blood count along with additional tests to determine the type and cause of anaemia.
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is the most commonly ordered test to check for anaemia. It is a comprehensive blood panel that measures several components of your blood all at once.
The CBC test is affordable, quick, and widely available at NDC Diagnostic's pathology department, where all samples are processed with precision and care.
Depending on your CBC results and symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following additional tests:
All of these pathology tests are available at NDC Diagnostic with quick turnaround times and accurate reports.
Here is a simple guide to understanding what your blood test results might mean:
Important: Do not try to interpret your reports on your own. Always consult a qualified doctor who will look at the full picture of your results, symptoms, and medical history.
While anaemia can affect anyone, some groups are at significantly higher risk:
Monthly menstrual blood loss is a leading cause of iron deficiency anaemia in women. Heavy periods (menorrhagia) increase this risk further.
During pregnancy, the body needs significantly more iron and folate to support the growing baby and placenta. Without adequate intake, anaemia develops quickly.
Rapid growth during infancy and early childhood requires large amounts of iron. Babies who are exclusively breastfed after 6 months without iron supplementation are at risk.
Older adults may eat less, absorb nutrients poorly, and have chronic conditions that contribute to anaemia.
Plant-based diets can be low in iron and Vitamin B12. The iron from plant foods (non-heme iron) is also less efficiently absorbed compared to iron from meat (heme iron).
Those with kidney disease, cancer, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease have a higher risk.
Regular blood donors may deplete their iron stores if they do not compensate with iron-rich foods or supplements.
People with a family history of sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, or G6PD deficiency are at inherited risk.
If you fall into any of these categories, it is a good idea to schedule a routine haemoglobin or CBC test even if you do not have obvious symptoms. Early detection is always better.
Once anaemia is confirmed through blood tests, your doctor will determine the type and cause and recommend a treatment plan. Here is a general overview:
After starting treatment, your doctor will ask for repeat blood tests usually after 4–8 weeks to check if haemoglobin levels are improving. This is an important step and should not be skipped.
If you are looking for a reliable and affordable place to check for anaemia through blood tests, NDC Diagnostic is one of the most trusted diagnostic centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
NDC Diagnostic offers a full range of pathology services including CBC, haemoglobin tests, serum ferritin, Vitamin B12, folate, peripheral blood smear, and much more all processed with accurate, NABL-standard equipment and reported by experienced pathologists.
|
Location |
Details |
|
Seawoods |
|
|
Kharghar |
|
|
Kalyan |
|
|
Kurla |
|
|
Thane - Khopat |
NDC Diagnostic also offers radiology services including ultrasound and X-rays, which can sometimes be needed when internal bleeding or organ-related causes of anaemia are being investigated.
📞 Book your blood test today at the NDC Diagnostic centre nearest to you. Early detection of anaemia can make a real difference in your health and quality of life.
While there are home haemoglobin testing devices available, they are not as accurate as laboratory blood tests. The only reliable way to diagnose anaemia and identify its type is through a certified laboratory. A simple CBC test at a diagnostic centre like NDC Diagnostic gives far more detailed and accurate results.
Most routine blood tests like CBC and haemoglobin are processed within 4 to 24 hours. Specialised tests like B12, ferritin, or peripheral smear may take a bit longer depending on the lab.
For a basic CBC or haemoglobin test, fasting is usually not required. However, if your doctor has ordered a full blood panel that includes glucose or lipid tests alongside anaemia tests, fasting may be needed. Always check with your diagnostic centre beforehand.
Anaemia relates to low haemoglobin or red blood cells, while low blood pressure is about the force at which blood flows through your vessels. Both can cause dizziness and fatigue, but they are different conditions. You need separate tests to check for each.
Yes, in most cases especially iron deficiency, B12, or folate deficiency anaemia it can be treated and resolved with the right supplements and dietary changes. Genetic forms of anaemia like thalassemia or sickle cell anaemia require ongoing management but can be controlled.
If you are at high risk (pregnant, have heavy periods, are vegetarian, have chronic disease), getting tested once or twice a year is advisable. Your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring if you are on treatment for anaemia.
Not exactly. Iron deficiency is one cause of anaemia, but there are many other causes. You can be iron deficient without being anaemic yet, and you can be anaemic without iron deficiency (for example, in B12 deficiency or bone marrow disorders).
Yes. Severe or long-standing anaemia forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure in extreme cases. This is one more reason why it is important to diagnose and treat anaemia early.
Anaemia is far more common than most people realise, and the fact that its symptoms often resemble everyday tiredness makes it easy to overlook. But when you understand how to check for anaemia through simple blood tests like the Complete Blood Count, haemoglobin test, serum ferritin, and Vitamin B12 levels you put yourself in a position to take control of your health.
Whether you are experiencing persistent fatigue, pale skin, breathlessness, or frequent headaches, please do not dismiss these signs. They could be your body's way of telling you that your blood needs attention. A quick visit to a diagnostic centre and a few simple tests are all it takes to find out.
At NDC Diagnostic, you can access a full range of pathology tests in a comfortable, hygienic, and professional environment. With centres in Seawoods, Kharghar, Kalyan, Kurla, and Thane - Khopat, getting tested has never been more convenient.
Do not wait for symptoms to get worse. Book your anaemia screening today at your nearest NDC Diagnostic centre and take the first step towards better health.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.