Anaemia is a condition where you have too few healthy red blood cells or too little haemoglobin to carry enough oxygen around the body. It causes tiredness, weakness, pale skin and breathlessness. The most common cause worldwide is iron deficiency. Heavy periods, pregnancy, gut conditions and, in tropical regions, malaria, worm infections and inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and thalassaemia are also major causes. Treatment depends on the cause, so it’s important to get tested rather than guess.
Symptoms
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Pale skin, pale inner eyelids, palms or nail beds
- Shortness of breath, especially on exertion
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Dizziness or headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Brittle nails, hair loss
- Craving non-food items such as clay, chalk or ice (pica)
Common causes
- Iron deficiency from diet, heavy periods, pregnancy or blood loss
- Malaria
- Hookworm and other worm infections
- Sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
- Chronic diseases such as kidney disease and HIV
- Bleeding from the stomach or bowel (e.g. ulcers, piles, cancer)
Iron-rich foods
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Animal sources (best absorbed) | Red meat, liver, chicken, turkey, fish, shellfish, eggs |
| Plant sources | Spinach, kale and other dark leafy greens, beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, peanuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds, fortified breakfast cereals, millet, dried apricots |
Pregnant women should limit liver because of its very high vitamin A content; ask your midwife.
How to absorb more iron
- Eat vitamin C with iron-rich foods: oranges, guava, tomatoes, peppers
- Avoid tea and coffee with meals (they reduce iron absorption); drink them between meals
- Combine animal and plant sources when possible
Treatment
- Iron tablets or syrup as prescribed; they can cause dark stools and constipation
- Treat the underlying cause: malaria, worms, heavy periods, bleeding
- Folic acid and B12 if deficient
- Blood transfusion for severe anaemia
Who is at higher risk?
- Pregnant women
- Young children
- Women with heavy periods
- People with sickle cell disease
- People living with chronic illnesses
When to see a doctor urgently
- Breathlessness at rest, chest pain or fainting
- Black stools or vomiting blood
- Very pale skin in a child with fever (possible severe malaria)
Frequently asked questions
Does beetroot or blood tonic cure anaemia?
Beetroot has some iron but isn’t a cure. Blood tonics vary; prescribed iron and treating the cause are what work.
How long do iron tablets take to work?
Many people feel better within weeks, but treatment usually continues for months to rebuild iron stores.
Related reading: Anaemia in pregnancy · Deworming children · Normal lab values
Updated 5 November 2026. This guide does not replace testing and advice from a health professional.