There are different types of Anemia. Anemia in its simplest form is a Red Cell Count, Hemoglobin (Hgb), that is lower than the “clinical normal” range.
Click here for more Detailed info on Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Anemia types fall under the 4 major categories list below. They are categorized by identifiable clinical and testable factors. The first comparable factor when a low RBC is encountered is… what is the body’s Retic Rate? Is it low or is it high?
There is a long list of more specific Anemia titles that are sub categories of the main four groups.
It is possible that patients dealing with anemia, may be impacted by more than one category. Since some deficiencies can intertwine problems that need sorted out.
The common denominator in the name Anemia, is the fact there is a decline in a patients Red Blood Cells. A declining Red Blood Cell count. Where the patients Red Blood Count has dropped lower than the “Normal” range.
The “normal” range varies slightly based on age and gender. Most Lab results specify your specific count, as well as the range, and whether your count is in the normal range, or outside the normal range.
What differentiates the 4 categories from each other is the cause of the decline, or what the body may or may not be doing attempting to compensate for the abnormal decline in Red Blood Cells.
Multiple approaches to treatment might be necessary if a patient is experiencing multiple causes and effects.
For an example. A CAD would fall under Hemolytic Anemia. With their Red Count low or dropping, with the body Retic’ing faster trying to compensate and produce more Red Cells.
The CADs faster Retic rate (Hemolytic Anemia Category) could over tax the bodies level of Iron or perhaps B12….even both. Slowing down the Retic Rate necessary to compensate for the Hemolytic type triggered by a cold exposure, or a lowered Red Blood Cell count.
Multiple approaches to treatment(s) and or supplements may be necessary. All supported by clinical testing, diagnosis, co-morbidity disease identification/ treatment, and monitoring test results on a continued basis.
The 4 Categories of Anemia
Aplastic – Red Cell Count is low plus Retic / Reticulocyte Count is low. Bone Marrow is not producing Red Blood Cells fast enough.
Iron Deficiency – Red Cell Count is low plus Retic / Reticulocyte Count is low could indicate this when the body doesn’t have enough iron to make Red Blood Cells.
Pernicious – Red Cell Count is low plus Retic / Reticulocyte Count is low. Could indicate the body doesn’t have enough Vitamin B12 to produce new Red Blood Cells fast enough.
Hemolytic – Red Cell Count is low plus Retic / Reticulocyte Count is high. Something is destroying Red Blood cells ahead of their normal 3 to 4 month life span. The Bone Marrow is working overtime attempting to replace them.
CADs fall into this category. Since the destruction of the Red Blood Cells is triggered by the Immune system, CAD is more specifically categorized as Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.
