Anemia and Age

 

There is quite a bit of controversy about anemia in older people. Some researchers believe that there is evidence that anemia is a normal part of aging, and that the standards used to measure normal levels of hemoglobin in younger people should be reduced for evaluating older patients. Others feel that though anemia of some degree is very common in older people, it should not be considered as a part of the aging process. They believe that all causes of anemia should be carefully sought, and proper treatment prescribed.

What are the causes of Anemia?

Anemia may be the result of many chronic diseases, as well as poor nutrition. However, intensive testing for specific causes in people with a low grade anemia rarely provides a clear cut answer that identifies a specific cause. We consider your anemia to be low grade if the hemoglobin is higher than 14 g/dL for men, and 12 g/dL for women. You would be at high risk if the level was below 12 g/dL for men and 10 g/dL for women. Most often the anemia is not the result of a single factor, but rather the effect of several which combine to lower the hemoglobin. By correcting the diet, paying attention to iron metabolism and vitamin intake, and treating any chronic disease, the levels of hemoglobin may be adjusted upward.