{"id":9,"date":"2018-06-04T00:25:20","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T00:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/knowyourblood.com\/?p=9"},"modified":"2018-06-04T00:25:20","modified_gmt":"2018-06-04T00:25:20","slug":"how-to-get-an-anemia-blood-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/knowyourblood.com\/how-to-get-an-anemia-blood-test\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get an Anemia Blood Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Quick Overview of Anemia.<\/span><\/h1>\n

What causes anemia. Are there variations of the condition?<\/span>?<\/span><\/h1>\n

There are over 400 different kinds of Anemia. They have three different causes: Anemia caused by blood loss (more info<\/span><\/a>), Anemia caused by faulty red blood cell production (more info<\/span><\/a>) and a genetic condition called Sickle Cell Anemia (more info<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

How do you become Anemic?<\/span>?<\/span><\/h1>\n

You’re<\/span>?either born anemic, predisposed to developing it later in life, or you get it abruptly due to circumstances like blood loss. If you are concerned that you might be anemic be sure to find out what type you have.?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Is anemia deadly?<\/span> <\/span><\/h1>\n

It depends on what type you have. If you’re iron deficient (common in women, often due to their periods) then just supplement iron and you should be fine. Sickle cell anemia, on the other hand, can be deadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is anemia curable?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Most cases of anemia are not curable. Aplastic anemia is an example of a particularly dangerous kind of anemia which is difficult to treat.?However, the condition is manageable through medication, self monitoring and blood transfusions.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the Blood Tests for Anemia<\/span><\/h1>\n

There are quite a few tests tests available to test for the potential of anemia. This is because there are so many different varieties of the disorder, all caused by different imbalances in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your doctor should be able to tell which tests would be best for you to take, b<\/span>ut you might also want to do your own research. Some of the more common tests might not check for the correct markers for your situation, markers that a different test has been created to measure.?<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a list of the blood tests that are available for anemia:<\/span><\/p>\n

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) test<\/span>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is often the first test used to assess for anemia.?The test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Hematocrit is a measure of how much space red blood cells take up in your blood. A low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit is a sign of anemia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Th CBC test is inexpensive and can provide you with an some good information. It is very good about detecting Iron-deficiency anemia.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you get a CBC test and are confirmed to have anemia you may need other tests, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n

Reticulocyte Count Blood Test<\/span><\/h3>\n

This test shows whether your bone marrow is making red blood cells at the correct rate.
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Ferritin + Iron + TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) Test<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a thorough test for the level of iron in your blood and body. The TIBC component tests the ability of your body to bind to and utilize Iron in the blood.
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The Anemia Panel<\/span><\/h3>\n

True Health Labs<\/a> has an Anemia Panel test. This Panel Combines two of the previous tests I listed: CBC, Iron, TIBC & Ferritin (excluding Reticulocyte)<\/span><\/p>\n

How Do You Get Tested?<\/h1>\n

If you have been discussing your potential for anemia with your doctor they will likely request that you run tests in their clinic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Go that route if it works for you. If your clinic has the tests you want available and your insurance can cover a good portion of the testing then that might just be the ideal route.<\/span><\/p>\n

I personally get my tests done through an independent vendor, which I just mentioned, called True Health Labs.<\/span><\/p>\n

I choose True Health Labs for a few reasons:?<\/span><\/p>\n