Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders in the United States. It can be caused by a variety of things, but is most commonly linked to poor gut health. An anemia specialist or doctor can help treat anemia and identify the underlying cause contributing to this condition. The Gut Authority can work with you to make changes to your diet and lifestyle to ensure your gut is absorbing the iron you need and producing healthy red blood cells.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia happens when you have a low red blood cell count or irregular red blood cells. Without enough hemoglobin, which is the oxygen binder, your blood isn’t transporting enough oxygen around your body. When your cells aren’t getting enough oxygen, it can wreak havoc on your body and cause all sorts of unpleasant side effects. Anemia occurs when there’s a disruption in this oxygen delivery process, and it can develop slowly over time.

It’s important that a doctor helps diagnose anemia, and it’s important that they identify which anemia a patient has, as there are many types of blood diseases. Iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell disease, and hemolytic anemia are a few examples. Iron deficiency anemia is where the blood lacks more red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Aplastic anemia is when the bone marrow does not produce enough red and white blood cells. In some cases, a bone marrow biopsy may be recommended to better understand the condition or to detect bone marrow disease or blood cancer that may be interfering with normal blood cell production.

Symptoms of Anemia

Symptoms will vary greatly depending on the individual. Likewise, the type of anemia someone has can matter. Iron deficiency anemia can have yellow or pale skin symptoms due to severely low iron levels. Often, patients don’t know they have anemia until a general blood test reveals it. Doctors may order blood tests, such as a complete blood count, to evaluate red blood cell levels and other important markers. Blood tests can also reveal various symptoms or chemical imbalances in the body. Some common symptoms include:

• Fatigue and low stamina
• Headaches
• Increase in infections
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Unusual cravings for non-edible things such as dirt and starch
• Cold hands and feet

Some other side effects of anemia include symptoms associated with low thyroid and depression. There are many risk factors for developing anemia, such as an iron-deficient diet, age, medical history, chronic disease, and pregnancy. Conditions such as chronic kidney disease, kidney disease, lung cancer, or autoimmune disorders may also contribute to anemia, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, gastrointestinal bleeding and blood loss are major contributors that an anemia specialist will investigate.

However, when anemia is treated properly—such as with dietary supplements or changes to your lifestyle—it can help restore your overall health. If left untreated, blood transfusions may be required to help restore healthy levels. It’s always important to check with a primary care provider or anemia specialist if you suspect you may suffer from anemia, especially if you’re managing other diseases.

We Take A Holistic Approach to Treatment

While many doctors treat the symptoms, we want to get to the root cause of your issue. Most iron deficiencies can be linked to leaky gut and bowel inflammation. We’ll go over your health history and your lifestyle, as well as do a variety of tests. We’ll then provide nutritional and lifestyle counseling to help you make choices to heal your gut. This allows us to create a personalized treatment plan and explore a range of treatment options beyond symptom management alone.

Contact Our Team

If you struggle with anemia and are ready to stop feeling fatigued and depressed, then you need an anemia specialist. Our team is ready to help you out! Our entire team here at The Gut Authority is looking forward to seeing you live a healthier, more enjoyable life! Call us today so we can get started.