Anemia is a common blood condition that causes a low number of red blood cells. If your red blood cell count is low, your hemoglobin count will also be low. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. If you suffer from anemia, your organs or tissues may not receive enough oxygen due to your low level of hemoglobin.

If you believe you are suffering from this condition, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible. Fortunately, you won’t have to visit a doctor’s office or clinic in order to take a blood test. By performing an anemia test at home, it’s easier than ever before to determine if you have this condition.

There is more than one type of anemia, and each different type has a different cause. Some of the most common types—and their common causes are:

• Iron deficiency anemia: This type of anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your blood. Low iron can occur as a result of a poor diet, menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, use of certain over-the-counter medications, and blood loss.
• Vitamin deficiency anemia: This type of anemia occurs due to a diet that does not contain enough folate and vitamin B-12.
• Anemia of inflammation: There are certain medical conditions that can affect the body’s ability to produce red blood cells and lead to anemia of inflammation. Some of these conditions include cancer, HIV, kidney disease, and Crohn’s disease.
• Aplastic anemia: This serious type of anemia can often be fatal. It can be caused by several factors, including the exposure to certain toxic chemicals, serious infections, and autoimmune disorders.
• Hemolytic anemia: This type of anemia is often genetic, which means you could have it at birth. But it can also develop later on in life as a result of certain blood diseases.

You won’t have to figure out how to interpret your results and take care of your health on your own. After you complete the test at home and get a result, follow the instructions in your kit to book a free virtual physician consultation with our partner Physician 360 and receive a prescription, if needed.

Use this consultation to ask questions, share your concerns, and discuss what changes you will need to make to improve your health. The information you share during this consultation is confidential so you can feel comfortable discussing your health concerns in this setting.

The method that is used to treat this condition will depend on the type of anemia you are suffering from.

One of the most common types is iron deficiency anemia. As its name suggests, this condition occurs when your body does not get enough iron. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen.

If you aren’t getting enough iron, your body will not produce enough hemoglobin, which will result in anemia. Doctors typically advise their patients to take iron supplements and eat a diet rich in iron in order to treat this type of anemia.

However, this is only one type of anemia. Treatments will vary for other forms of anemia, which is why it’s so important to discuss your results with your doctor to determine the best way to treat your condition.

If your results indicate your red blood cell count is too low or high, your healthcare provider may need to perform additional diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of your anemia. Identifying the underlying cause will help your healthcare provider determine the steps you need to take to manage your condition.

If your hemoglobin test kit results reveal abnormal levels of red blood cells, it’s in your best interest to seek medical treatment right away. If left untreated, anemia can lead to serious health complications, including:

• Exhaustion: Anemia can cause fatigue that is so severe that it interferes with your daily routine.
• Pregnancy complications: If you are pregnant, untreated anemia can cause a number of complications, including premature birth.
• Heart conditions: If your red blood cell count is low, your oxygen level in your blood is low, too. Because there is less oxygen in your blood, your heart will have to pump faster in order to distribute more blood, and thus more oxygen, to your body. Over time, this change in your heart rate can lead to arrhythmia or other serious heart conditions.

The only way to avoid these dangerous health complications is to seek medical treatment right away after learning about your abnormal red blood cell count. Work with your healthcare provider to manage your condition. You may need to take additional tests in the future to monitor your condition and make adjustments to your treatment.