Aging & Health A to Z
Anemia
Diagnosis & Tests
The cause(s) of anemia in older adults can be difficult to diagnosis. Many conditions can cause anemia in older people, and several of them may occur at the same time.
If you have any signs of anemia, your healthcare professional will conduct a thorough history, a physical exam and take a blood sample for a complete blood count. He or she may also test your blood to measure your iron, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and may recommend special blood tests to determine how well your body stores and uses iron.
Your healthcare professional may conduct additional tests to determine whether you have an underlying illness or problems such as ulcers or polyps, which could cause chronic internal bleeding. These tests might include:
- additional blood tests
- x-rays
- endoscopy (looking inside your stomach or intestines through a tube)
- bone marrow biopsy.
Updated: March 2012
Posted: March 2012