Can anemia cause weight loss and fatigue?
Disease description:
I've lost several pounds recently, feel weak when walking, and become short of breath after climbing just two flights of stairs. I heard from others that anemia can cause these symptoms—could I be anemic? Should I go to the hospital for a checkup?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
In general, anemia may lead to symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue.
Anemia is a common clinical condition characterized by a reduction in the capacity of red blood cells in the peripheral blood, falling below the lower limit of the normal range. The primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to various parts of the body. When the number of red blood cells decreases or their function becomes abnormal, tissues and organs throughout the body may experience a series of symptoms due to oxygen deficiency, such as muscle weakness and easy fatigability, which can cause patients to feel tired.
If anemia is caused by malnutrition, such as iron-deficiency anemia, supplementing with iron and improving dietary structure by increasing consumption of iron-rich foods, such as red meat and leafy green vegetables, can effectively improve the anemia and thereby alleviate the feeling of fatigue and promote weight recovery. However, if the anemia is of another type, such as hemolytic anemia or aplastic anemia, targeted treatment according to the specific cause is required.
In daily life, attention should be paid to balanced nutrition in the diet, and more foods rich in iron and other essential nutrients for blood formation should be consumed to prevent the occurrence of anemia.
