144 – Anemia in Aging: Symptoms and Solutions

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains important information about anemia symptoms to watch for, questions to ask your doctor, and the 10 most common causes of anemia in aging adults.
She covers:

• Why anemia is important
• Defining anemia: CBC, hemoglobin & hematocrit
• Symptoms of anemia
• Causes of anemia
• Causes of blood loss and iron deficiency
• Diagnosing anemia
• Testing for causes of anemia
• When to transfuse for anemia
• What to ask doctors about anemia
• When to take iron for anemia

Related episode: 

• 085 – Understanding Lab Tests: 4 Common Blood Tests for Older Adults

Related Resources:

• Anemia in the Older Adult: 10 Common Causes & What to Ask
• Prevalence of anemia in persons 65 years and older in the United States: evidence for a high rate of unexplained anemia
• Understanding Laboratory Tests: 10 Commonly Used Blood Tests for Older Adults
• How to Detect & Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older Adults