Anemia

Overview

Anemia is a condition in which your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, or both. Hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein in red blood cells, carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. If you have anemia, you probably feel tired a lot.

There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe. Sometimes anemia is a symptom of a serious illness, so it is important to have it assessed and get the appropriate treatment.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Expertise and experience. Blood disorder specialists (hematologists) at Mayo Clinic have cared for thousands of people with all forms of anemia and offer specialized care for each type. Mayo Clinic's hematologists and pathologists (specialists in assessing blood and bone marrow) are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in blood disorders diagnosis and treatment.
• Diagnostic skill. Mayo Clinic offers rapid diagnostic testing and assessments by a team of experts. Hematologists work with skilled pathologists to identify anemias in Mayo Clinic's renowned hematopathology laboratory. This international reference lab provides doctors around the world with information and test results on complex, specialized analyses that are not available at all medical centers.
• Time for you. Mayo Clinic doctors take the time to listen to you about your problem, to explain your options and answer your questions.

Read more about anemia at MayoClinic.com.

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