How to Diagnose Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

Diagnosing vitamin deficiency anemia is often neglected until a person's energy is so low that it has resulted in depression, or until a physician is sufficiently concerned about the person's low iron and red blood cell levels. Vitamin deficiencies are often overlooked by people and considered less important than, say, an illness, or something with more immediate consequences. However, in the long term, vitamin deficiencies can result in osteoporosis, jaundice, shingles or gastrointestinal problems, and can lead to major diseases. Vitamin deficiency anemia can be seen as an opportunity to integrate more powerful habits into one's lifestyle and to be more aware of systemic "fitness" levels that can empower the body in the long run.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's appointment
• Access to a lab

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Instructions

Check for Symptoms

• 1

  Be on the lookout for dizziness, exhaustion, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.

• 2

  Notice any swelling or tingling in the hands and feet or any heart murmurs or chest pain, all of which can signal the presence of anemia.

• 3

  Keep track of all your unexplained discomforts. Take this list with you when you meet with your doctor. A complete list of symptoms can help her confirm or rule out anemia and can also help her diagnose other issues.

Talk With Your Physician

• 4

  Tell your doctor what symptoms you are experiencing. If you are a woman of menstrual age, you are among the largest at-risk group for anemia. However, everyone can be susceptible to this condition, and you can help your doctor diagnose anemia if you can fully describe the symptoms.

• 5

  Ask her to schedule a blood test to diagnose vitamin deficiency anemia for you at your local lab. It's a quick test, and you can usually get your results back within a week.

Have a Blood Test

• 6

  Go to the lab and have your finger pricked for blood. It's relatively painless and doesn't require you to avoid food beforehand as some blood tests do.

• 7

  Discuss your results with your doctor. Ask how your red blood cell count is--whether it's strong, borderline or below acceptable levels. If you are anemic, discuss treatment options.