How to Diagnose Iron Deficiency Anemia

Although iron deficiency anemia can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness and even depression (among other symptoms), testing and treatment for the condition are relatively easy. If you have access to a physician and a lab, you should be able to have your test and receive your results in a matter of days.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's appointment
• Access to lab

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Instructions

Know the Symptoms

• 1

  Look for the most common anemia symptoms. Do you experience dizziness? Are you frequently exhausted even after a good night's sleep? Do your hands and feet tingle?

• 2

  Ask yourself if you are getting sufficient iron in your diet in the form of supplements, red meat, molasses, beans, enriched pasta and enriched cereal. Vegetarians need to take special care to include iron in their diets. Fortunately, leafy greens can assist in iron absorption.

• 3

  Make an appointment with your physician if you are experiencing some or all of the symptoms of anemia. Ask to have a blood test scheduled.

Have Blood Drawn

• 4

  Go to your local lab and have a blood sample taken. This won't take more than a few minutes, and you probably don't have to fast beforehand.

• 5

  Speak to your doctor about the results when they come in. Ask him how strong your red blood cell count is. If it's borderline, you may want to consider taking iron supplements.

• 6

  Pinpoint the possible causes if your doctor does diagnose iron deficiency anemia. If you have heavy periods, you are a member of one of the most common anemic groups. However, it's possible that other factors, such as alcoholism, could be contributing to the disease, and they should be addressed at this time.