Anemia as a Symptom

October 28, 2025

2 min read

Iron deficiency anemia is often not an independent disease, but a sign of serious health problems. If tests show a low level of haemoglobin, it is necessary to understand the exact cause. To do this, you need to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms.

Key takeaways

Iron deficiency anemia is often not an independent disease, but a sign of serious health problems.
Frequent periods
Discharge from the mammary glands and soreness in the armpit area

Who this is for

People exploring Anemia through anemia, menstruation.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Helene

General practitioner

Frequent periods

Anemia and strong, prolonged menstruation can be a sign of endometriosis, endometrial polyps, and uterine myoma. These diseases markedly increase blood loss during menstruation, which affects the level of iron in the body.

Discharge from the mammary glands and soreness in the armpit area

Thickening in the mammary glands, discharge from the mammary glands, enlarged axillary lymph nodes and soreness in the armpit area indicate possible breast cancer.

Pale skin and dizziness

If you experience weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, excessive thirst, dark eyes, cold sweats, rapid pulse and blood pressure, or unnaturally pale skin, you may suspect internal gastrointestinal bleeding. This can be caused by a stomach ulcer or polyps in the colon or intestinal tract. Gastrointestinal bleeding can also result from regular intake of certain over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin.

Painful, prolonged menstruation and painful intercourse

It has been proven that half of the women suffering from cervical cancer have anaemia at the time of diagnosis. This is usually due to vaginal bleeding and prolonged menstruation. In addition, there is decreased appetite, increased fatigue, vaginal discharge, and uterine pain.

Intestinal disorders and blood in the feces

Iron deficiency, abdominal pain, and intestinal disorders are the first symptoms of colon cancer. Abdominal pain may be contraction-like, pressing, or aching. Signs of colorectal cancer include nausea, vomiting, belching, loss of appetite, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, and flatulence.

Decline of strength, numbness of the limbs, tinnitus

If the anaemic syndrome is accompanied by dizziness, loss of strength, drowsiness, tachypnea (rapid shallow breathing) with minimal exertion or deterioration of mental performance, then the kidneys should be checked. A complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), caused by insufficient synthesis of the hormone erythropoietin, leads to renal anaemia. This disease is also characterized by numbness of the extremities, chilliness, tinnitus, pale skin, and lower back pain.

The optimal haemoglobin level is 117-166 g/l in men and 117-153 g/l in women. The optimal ferritin level is 75-250 mcg/l in men and 25-120 mcg/l in women.

Heavy sweating and coughing fits

Severe weight loss, unhealthy shine of the eyes, stooped appearance, profuse sweating (especially at night), pale skin, and extended fever can indicate the onset of tuberculosis. Constant fatigue, irritability and coughing fits are also characteristic signs.

Arrhythmia, coldness in the extremities, weakness, change in taste

Anaemia leads to oxygen starvation, which inevitably affects the cardiovascular system. The heart, to provide the body with oxygen, is forced to contract more often. As a result, tachycardia, arrhythmias, and blood pressure fluctuations begin, heart failure develops and the heart increases in size. Increased blood pumping also affects the condition of blood vessels as they wear out faster and become less elastic.

Problems with the cardiovascular system are indicated by general weakness, pale skin, cold sensation in the extremities, dry mucous membranes, hair loss and nail problems, breathing difficulties, headache, tinnitus, poor concentration and irritability. Among other things, the person may have a change in taste and begin to like inedible things, such as chalk.

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