Symptoms:

Possible symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness or light-headedness (especially when standing up or with activity)
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Headaches
• Problems concentrating
• Shortness of breath (especially during exercise)

Some types of anemia may have other symptoms, such as:

• Constipation
• Problems thinking
• Tingling

Signs and tests:

The doctor will perform a physical examination, and may find:

• Pale skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Heart murmur

Some types of anemia may cause other findings on a physical exam.

Blood tests used to diagnose some common types of anemia may include:

• Blood levels of vitamin B12, folic acid, and other vitamins and minerals
• Red blood count and hemoglobin level
• Reticulocyte count
• Ferritin level
• Iron level

Other tests may be done to identify medical problems that can cause anemia.