The definition of anemia: what is the lower limit of normal of the blood hemoglobin concentration?

Blood. 2006 Mar 1;107(5):1747-50. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-07-3046. Epub 2005 Sep 27.

Abstract

The diagnosis of anemia is an important aspect of the practice of hematology. The first step is to decide whether the patient is, in fact, anemic. Unless earlier blood counts are available, and they often are not, the physician must make his or her decision on the basis of the population distribution of hemoglobin values. How likely is it that the patient's hemoglobin value lies below the normal distribution; that is, "the lower limit"?

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / blood*
  • Anemia / diagnosis*
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Hemoglobins