Anemia: Causes, Symptoms and Support Strategies

Anemia:  Causes, Symptoms & Support Strategies

Globally, anemia impacts 1.62 billion people or 24.8% of the population.  Preschool-age children have the highest percentage rate of anemia in their population coming in at 47.4%. However, non-pregnant women have the highest prevalence overall with approximately 468.4 million women in the world that are suffering from anemia (3).

As a clinician, I see many clients who struggle with anemia and the resulting side effects. I have noticed that it is especially common with people who have yeast or bacterial overgrowth, follow a vegetarian diet, or consume inflammatory foods.

I have seen improvements with clients who take the initiative to seek out the root cause of their anemia and address the diet as needed or include supplementation if necessary.

Warning Signs

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Cognitive problems
• Cold hands and feet
• Headache (1).

Anemia is characterized by an impaired production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to our tissue as well as removing carbon dioxide, a waste product, from our tissues and eliminating it through the kidneys or lungs.

Anemia can become dangerous when oxygenation and waste elimination are impaired enough to cause a person to become symptomatic (4). It has been known to cause permanent cognitive impairments and delayed physical development in infants if not addressed. The simple fix is typically supplemental iron.

However, if iron depletion is not the source of the problem, this can result in iron overload and still leave the person suffering from anemia and its effects. Therefore, it is extremely important to figure out the type and cause of each anemic case and address the underlying issue (5).

This article will address the different types of anemia, how to differentiate between them with testing, and solutions for resolving anemia.

Causes of Anemia:

1. Excessive Bleeding
2. Leaky Gut
3. Low Stomach Acid
4. Iron Deficiency
5. B12 Deficiency
6. Folate Deficiency
7. Poor Diet
8. Chronic Diseases
9. Intestinal Disorders
10. Infections
11. Kidney Disease
12. Liver Disease
13. Thyroid Disease
14. Pregnancy
15. Enzyme Deficiencies
16. Autoimmunity (10).

Different Types of Anemia

1. Microcytic (Iron Deficiency) Anemia:  This is the most common type of anemia worldwide. It is characterized by small, often hypochromic (pale), red blood cells in a peripheral blood smear. This type of anemia is mostly caused by an iron deficit; this deficit occurs either because the body is not getting enough iron or it is not absorbing it properly.

Iron is a necessity for hemoglobin production and without it, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin to make healthy red blood cells (5).

2. Megaloblastic (Vitamin Deficiency) Anemia:  In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production.  Additionally, some people may consume enough B-12, but their bodies aren’t able to process the vitamin. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia (9).

3. Anemia of Chronic Disease:  Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn’s disease, and other chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells.

4. Aplastic Anemia:  This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body does not produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

5. Anemias Associated With Bone Marrow Disease:  A variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by affecting blood production in your bone marrow. The effects of these types of cancer and cancer-like disorders vary from mild to life-threatening.

6.  Hemolytic Anemias:  This group of anemias develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain blood diseases increase red blood cell destruction. You can inherit hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life. This is typically the result of an autoimmune issue where a person’s immune system attacks their own red blood cell producing tissues.

7. Sickle Cell Anemia:  This inherited and sometimes serious condition is an inherited hemolytic anemia. It’s caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape. These irregular blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells.

8.  Other Anemias:  There are several other forms of anemia, such as thalassemia and malarial anemia.

Testing For Anemia

Making the diagnosis of anemia and then differentiating between the causes can be a challenge but it is important to identify the root cause of anemia to address it appropriately. The most accurate test is a bone marrow test but this is expensive and invasive.

The most efficient and non-invasive way to test for iron deficient anemia is done by looking at ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and MCV levels in a blood sample (6). Other reliable indicators that aid in diagnosis include: hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCH, MCHC, and red blood cells.

Let’s break down each of these components:

1. Ferritin: This is a blood cell protein that contains iron. This is the most reliable indicator of total iron status in the body. When it is low it indicates iron deficiency. (7). This is the first marker for early iron depletion. However, ferritin is an acute phase reactant and is elevated with inflammatory conditions. In inflammatory conditions where iron is elevated, it is important to evaluate Total Iron Binding Capacity to identify iron insufficiency.  Clinical ranges are between 15-150 ng/mL while the functional range is between 50-150 for women and 75-150 for men.

2. Serum Iron: This is the amount of iron in the blood that is bound to transferrin and is not an accurate representation of total iron present in the body. Ferritin is a better indicator of iron deficiency due to iron being bound up in different forms that are highly variable. However, if this is low, it is considered to be one of the indicators of iron deficiency anemia. Serum iron is elevated with hemochromatosis, which occurs when the body is iron overloaded.  The lab range for serum iron is 27-159 ug/dL while the functional range is 85-130 ug/dL.

3. Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): This measures a red blood cell’s capacity to bind to transferrin. This will be elevated in iron deficiency, pregnancy, and blood loss. Low TIBC can also occur in chronic disease, elevated iron loads, liver disease, and infections (8). TIBC may be normal in anemia associated with chronic disease.  The clinical lab range for TIBC is 250-450 ug/dL while functional practitioners like to see this between 250-350 ug/dL for optimal health.

4. Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin (Hgb) carries oxygen to the cells and carries carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled. This value may be low in iron deficient anemia and high in iron overload.  For anemia, most labs flag this if the level is under 11.1 g/dL.  For functional Hgb, the optimal ranges are between 13.5-14.5 for females and 14-15 for men.

5. Hematocrit: This is the whole blood volume that consists of red blood cells. This can be low in iron deficient anemia or if excessive bleeding has occurred. This value may be high in times of dehydration or polycythemia, which is the overproduction of hemoglobin.  The clinical lab ranges are between 34-46.6%.  The functional ranges for men are 39-45% while for women they are between 37-44%.

6. MCH: MCH stands for mean corpuscular hemoglobin. This is the average mass of hemoglobin per red blood cell. High levels indicate a megaloblastic anemia associated with deficiencies in folate or B12. Low levels indicate a microcytic anemia which is typically associated with blood loss or low iron levels.  The clinical lab ranges are between 26-33 pg while the functional ranges for optimal health are between 28-32 pg.

7. MCHC: MCHC stands for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. This is the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. A decrease in MCHC is an indicator of hypochromic, or iron deficient anemia. A high MCHC value indicates methylation issues and is a megaloblastic anemia.  Lab ranges are between 31.5 – 35.7 g/dL.  Functional ranges are between 32-35 g/dL.

8. Red blood cells are the cells designed to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide. This value can be low due to blood loss or could be associated with hemolytic anemia, which is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own red blood cells.  For anemia, most labs flag these if they are below 3.77 x10E6/uL.  For functional analysis, we like to see these between 4-5 x10E6/uL.

9. MCV: MCV stands for the mean corpuscular volume and is the average volume of a red blood cell. Low MCV is related to a microcytic, or iron deficient, red blood cell. High MCV is related to a megaloblastic, or vitamin deficient, red blood cell.  Labs will flag this if it is between 79-97 fl.  From a functional perspective, we like to see it between 85-92 fl.

The Phases in the Development of Anemia

You can see the development of anemia in lab work in various phases.  Once you understand these phases, you should be able to catch this condition much earlier than traditionally trained medical physicians.  Here is the breakdown:

Phase I:  Early iron storage depletion is marked by low ferritin levels.  All the other iron and blood markers are typically normal but may even be slightly high.

Phase II: Iron deficiency non-anemia is marked by low ferritin, low iron, low iron saturation, and high total iron binding capacity.

Phase III: Iron-deficiency anemia (microcytic) is marked by low RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ferritin, iron, iron saturation, and elevated TIBC.

Phase IV:  Megaloblastic anemia is marked by high MCV, MCH, and MCHC and the individual needs B12, folate, and B6 (9).

The Comprehensive Blood Analysis is the main blood test we use for testing our clients.  This includes all of these levels above and looks into other organ systems such as the thyroid, liver, cholesterol panel, inflammation markers, kidney health, blood sugar regulation, and more. The Comprehensive Blood Analysis allows us to differentiate between causes of anemia.

Natural Support Strategies for Anemia

Here are the best action steps to get started with on your journey to improve anemia.  You should always consult with your physician before stopping or changing medications or taking on new health strategies.  It is also important to remember that these strategies are not all FDA-approved to prevent, treat, or cure anemia.

Additionally, you should be working with a functional health practitioner to help guide you through these strategies.  This is not an exhaustive list and there are other natural therapeutic strategies that I and functional health practitioners will utilize to help individuals with anemia.

1. Improve Stomach Acid:

Low stomach acid levels are extremely common and often contribute to symptoms such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and stomach burning. This is typically attributed to too much stomach acid induced by stress. However, low stomach acid is actually the reason for GERD in the majority of cases.

Intrinsic Factor is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. It is secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach lining and without it, B12 is not absorbed or utilized by our body appropriately.

Factors that cause parietal cell death and ultimately suppress the secretion of intrinsic factors include alcoholism, ulcerative gastritis, H. pylori, and gastric bypass surgery. All of these causes should be addressed in order to repair the parietal cells (11).

Low stomach acid leads to malabsorption of many nutrients, including iron and B vitamins, and improper sterilization of food.  This leaves the gastrointestinal tract at increased risk for infection. Read this article to learn methods for improving stomach acid such as an anti-inflammatory diet, apple cider vinegar, lemon, lime, and many more great ideas.

2. Use Apple Cider Vinegar:

Begin using apple cider vinegar to immediately begin improving stomach acid levels. Drink 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in 4-6 ounces of water prior to every meal. This provides an acidic environment for food sterilization and the proper breakdown of food.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Diet:

The average American’s diet is filled with grains and sugar that promote total body inflammation due to blood sugar fluctuations and added stress to metabolic processes.  Instead build your diet around good fats, non-starchy veggies, low glycemic fruits, herbs, and clean protein.

When our bodies are inflamed, our organs are not able to properly utilize nutrients and create necessary substances for optimal functioning. This leaves us at risk of developing issues such as anemia and many chronic diseases.

4. Eliminate Food Sensitivities:

An autoimmune condition occurs when the body’s white blood cells produce a specific antibody to target a particular tissue or enzyme within a tissue of the body. For example, when the body produces an attack on red blood cells or bone marrow, this can produce an autoimmune anemia such as hemolytic anemias or aplastic anemias.

Based on twin studies, we now know that 25% of autoimmunity is genetics, and the other 75% is environment (12).  Dr. Jockers and I believe there are 7 main environmental factors causing autoimmunity:

1. Gluten Sensitivity
2. GMO’s
3. Gut Dysfunction
4. Neurological Stress
5. Toxins
6. Stress and Adrenal Fatigue
7. Infections

A food elimination diet takes out the most common gut irritating foods and allows the intestinal lining a chance to completely heal. This calms down the immune system and decreases inflammation, which will reduce autoimmunity and the side effects of autoimmune diseases.

5.  Resolve Gastrointestinal Infections:

H Pylori and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can result in things such as leaky gut and low stomach acid. Both of these disorders can interfere with the absorption process of iron and essential B vitamins for healthy red blood cells.

Reducing these infections is a key player in helping you get to the root cause of the anemia.  You can test for H Pylori with the GI MAP Test and SIBO with the SIBO breath test here.

6.  Heal Leaky Gut:

Leaky gut occurs when the enterocytes, or cells of the intestinal wall, have widening gap junctions. Things that cause these cells to split apart include: NSAIDs, antibiotics, blood sugar imbalance, environmental toxins, pathogens, pesticides, hormone imbalance, and processed foods.

Once the cells of the intestinal lining have atrophied and have started to loosen, large particles are able to get through that would not normally be able to get through the intestinal lining. This can result in infections, autoimmunity, low stomach, and impaired nutrient absorption.  As we have discussed above, these resulting effects can result in diseases such as anemia.

7. Iron Supplementation:

The body does have a physiological response that helps the body increase the absorption of iron in response to feedback telling the body that iron stores are depleted.

However, this response is minimal and depending on the severity of iron depletion, can take a long time to restore the body back to optimal levels. Significant iron loss requires replacement with iron supplements (6).

We carry Iron Power, which is designed to be gentle on the gastrointestinal system and decrease the side effects of constipation that most iron supplements cause.

I only use this product with individuals that have mild to severe iron-deficiency as seen on lab work. The findings would indicate very low serum ferritin (under 25), low iron serum (under 80), and possibly low hemoglobin, red blood cells, and hematocrit.

For milder cases, I will use 1 cap – 1-2 times daily with food and possibly with 500 mg of vitamin C supplementation which helps improve absorption.

For moderate cases, I will use 1 cap 3 times daily with food and with 500 mg of vitamin C supplementation which helps improve absorption.

For advanced cases, I will use 2 caps – 3 times daily with food and with 500 mg of vitamin C supplementation which helps improve absorption.

I then retest blood iron levels at 90-day intervals to make sure we are improving the levels and exceeding the amount of iron they need.

8. B12 and Folate Supplementation:

Supplementation with B12 and Folate may be necessary until absorption of these crucial vitamins has improved.  These are very important for the proper development of the blood cells.

B Strong™ is the supplement that we use to address these deficiencies. It contains the entire spectrum of B vitamins to support adrenal and neurological functions. It features activated forms of vitamins B2, B6, and B12; benfotiamine, a fat soluble, more physiologically active form of thiamine; and folate as Quatrefolic®, which is proven to have greater stability, solubility, and bioavailability over calcium salt forms of 5-MTHF.

Testing for B vitamin deficiencies can be done by using the Organic Acid Test which will look at B2, B6, biotin, folate, and B12 levels.

9. Best Food Sources of Iron:

1) Grass Fed Beef or Pasture Raised Chicken Liver (Best Source)

2) Grass Fed Beef

3) Squash and Pumpkin Seeds

4) Nuts: Cashews, Almonds, Pine, Hazelnut, Pistachios

5) Leafy Greens: Spinach, Swiss Chard, Collard greens, Turnip Greens

6) Lentils

7) Pasture Raised Egg Yolk

8) Lamb

9) Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Powder

10) Quinoa (13).

10.  Best Food Sources of Folate:

1) Grass Fed Beef or Pasture Raised Chicken Liver (Best Source)

2) Egg Yolk

3) Lentils

4) Almonds

5) Avocados

6) Spinach

7) Beetroot

8) Brussel Sprouts

9) Broccoli

10) Cabbage (14).

11. Best Food Sources for Vitamin B12

1) Grass Fed Beef Liver or Pasture Raised Chicken Liver (Best Source)

2) Grass Fed Beef

3) Pasture Raised Chicken

4) Pasture Raised Eggs

5) Raw Milk

6) Raw Cheese

7) Grass Fed Yogurt (14).

12. Eat Fermented Foods:

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, coconut kefir, assorted fermented vegetables, raw cheeses, and grass-fed yogurt provide natural probiotics that help fertilize the gut with healthy microbes.  These microbes help heal the gut lining, absorb nutrients such as iron, B12, and folate, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your immune system.

I personally like to enjoy some fermented foods with nearly every meal.  The active enzymes and probiotics help to improve digestion and nutrient assimilation.

13. Eat Liver

Liver is a great source of protein, iron, all of the B vitamins (including B12 and folate), balanced quantities of vitamin A, many trace elements and minerals including copper, zinc, chromium, phosphorous and selenium, essential fatty acids EPA, DHA and AA, as well as the powerful antioxidant CoQ10.

All of these compounds help to support the production of healthy red blood cells, fight disease, decrease inflammation, and improve health.  You can also supplement with a Grass-Fed Beef Organ Complex supplement to get these nutrients.

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Final Thoughts

Anemia is a serious health problem and can be caused by a number of different issues.  If you have anemic symptoms, it is critical to address the root cause factors and get the proper nutrients to support healthy blood cell formation.

If you want to work with a functional health coach, I recommend this article with tips on how to find a great coach. Our website offers long-distance functional health coaching programs with our world-class team of health coaches. For further support with your health and other goals, just reach out—our fantastic coaches are here to support your journey.

Sources For This Article Include:

1. Mayoclinic: Anemia Symptoms and Causes: Online link

2. Josephs, H. W. (1958). Absorption of Iron as a Problem in Human Physiology: A Critical Review. Blood: The Journal of Hematology. 13(1-54). Online Link to Pdf.

3. De Benoist B et al., eds.Worldwide prevalence of anemia 1993-2005.WHO Global Database on Anemia Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008.Online Link

4. PubMed Health. Iron-Deficiency Anemia (2014). NHLBI Health Topics. National Center for Biotechnology Information,U.S. National Library of Medicine. Online Link

5. Hennek, J. W. and Kumar, A. A. and Wiltschko, A. B. and Patton, M. R. and Lee, Si Yi R. and Brugnara, C. and Adams, R. P. and Whitesides, G. M. (2016). Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia Using Density-based Fractionation of Red Blood Cells. Lab Chip. 16:20 (3929-3939). Doi: 10.1039/C6LC00875E. Online link

6. Massey, A. C. Microcytic anemia. Differential diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia. Med Clin North Am.(1992); 76(3):549-66. PMID:1578956. Online Link.

7. Mayo Clinic: Ferritin Online Link

8. Medscape: Total Iron Binding Capacity Online Link

9. Aslinia, F, Mazza JJ, Yale SH. Megaloblastic anemia and other causes of macrocytosis. Clin Med Res. 2006;4:236-241. Online Link

10. American Society of Hematology (2016). Anemia. American Society of Hematology: Helping Hematologists Conquer Blood Diseases Worldwide. Online Link

11. Group, E. (2014). What is Intrinsic Factor? Global Healing Center. Online Link

12. The Immunogenetic Architecture of Autoimmune DiseaseLink Here

13. List of Top Iron Containing Foods: Link Here

14. List of Top B12 and Folate Foods: Link Here