Table of Contents
The severity of anemia is categorized by the following hemoglobin concentration ranges:
- Mild anemia is considered when hemoglobin is between 9.5 - 13.0 g/dL
- Moderate anemia is considered when hemoglobin is between 8.0 - 9.5 g/dL
- Severe anemia is considered for hemoglobin concentrations below 8.0 g/dL
Hematocrit. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood composed of red blood cells. People with a high volume of plasma (the liquid portion of blood) may be anemic even if their blood count is normal because the blood cells have become diluted. Like hemoglobin, a normal hematocrit percentage depends on age and gender. In general, doctors diagnose anemia when hematocrit falls below:
- 33% for children 6 months - 5 years
- 35% for children 5 - 12 years
- 36% for children 12 - 15 years
- 39% for adult men
- 36% for adult non-pregnant women
- 33% for adult pregnant women
Other hemoglobin measurements, such as mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) may also be calculated.
Mean Corpuscular Volume. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measurement of the average size of red blood cells. The MCV increases when red blood cells are larger than normal (macrocytic) and decreases when red blood cells are smaller than normal (microcytic). Macrocytic cells can be a sign of anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, while microcytic cells are a sign of iron-deficiency anemia or thalassemias.
Other Iron Status Blood Tests
Serum Ferritin. Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron and helps to store iron in the body. Low levels typically mean reduced iron stores. Normal values are generally 12 - 300 ng/mL for men and 12 - 150 ng/mL for women. Lower than normal levels of ferritin are a sign of iron-deficiency anemia, while higher than normal levels may indicate hemolytic anemia or megaloblastic anemia.
Serum Iron. Serum iron measures the amount of iron in the blood. A normal serum iron is 60 - 170 mcg/dL. Lower levels may indicate iron-deficiency anemia or anemia of chronic disease, while higher levels may indicate hemolytic anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Review Date: 01/13/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
