There are over 400 known types of this blood disorder, the four most known ones being iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia, and hemolytic anemia.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

When the level of iron in the body gets too low, the body develops iron deficiency anemia. There are various reasons a person may have low iron levels in their body, such as inadequate intake or malabsorption; however, the most common cause is blood loss. As soon as you lose blood, your body starts getting water from other tissues to keep blood vessels full. This process dilutes the blood and reduces the red blood cell (RBC) count.

Here are additional common causes of iron deficiency anemia:

Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

Aside from iron, vitamin B12 is another crucial nutrient in producing healthy red blood cells. A diet without sufficient levels of this vitamin may lead to lower red blood cell production. Additionally, some individuals who consume enough vitamin B12 can’t absorb it, leading to vitamin deficiency anemia, also called pernicious anemia.

Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a life-threatening condition wherein the body stops producing new red blood cells. Autoimmune disease, infections, and certain medicines may cause uncontrolled bleeding. Unfortunately, it can develop at any age.

Hemolytic Anemia

This type of anemia occurs when the body destroys red blood cells much faster than it can produce them. Certain types of blood disease cause hemolysis — the destruction of red blood cells. Individuals can inherit hemolytic anemia or develop the condition later in life.

Depending on the anemia type, individuals suffering from it may experience varying symptoms. However, here are the most common anemia symptoms:

To diagnose anemia, your doctor will likely check the following:

Additionally, your doctor might order various blood tests, including the following: