3. Tiredness
Tiredness is a very common symptom associated with all forms of anemia and is often one of the symptoms that first prompts a visit to the doctor. Now of course tiredness can likewise be a symptom of a range of other conditions – including depression, infection, high blood pressure, and more.
In this case, the tiredness will be the result of low red blood cells to transport oxygen to the muscles. You won’t likely feel ‘breathless’ as you do when you have high blood pressure or hypoxia – you still have enough oxygen in your blood. Likewise, you won’t necessarily feel so sluggish.
However, you may notice that you feel fatigued and weakness and that usual activity appear to take more effort. This is common in the elderly due to another form of anemia called pernicious anemia in which the patient does not produce enough of the protein ‘intrinsic factor’. This protein normally binds with vitamin B12 to aid with absorption.