PATIENT INFORMATION
Anaemia
Anaemia means the haemoglobin level is lower than expected.
Why it matters
Haemoglobin carries oxygen around the body. Surgery may involve blood loss, so starting with a low level can increase the chance of needing a blood transfusion and may slow recovery.
Before surgery, the importance of anaemia depends on its severity, cause, symptoms, the amount of blood loss expected and the urgency of the operation.
Common causes
Iron deficiency is a common cause, often linked to diet, heavy periods or blood loss from the gut. Other causes include kidney disease, long-term illness, vitamin deficiencies and inherited blood conditions.
What to tell the team
- Symptoms such as tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness or palpitations
- Heavy periods, black stools or other blood loss
- A known blood condition such as thalassaemia or sickle cell disease
- Previous iron treatment or blood transfusions
What may happen
For elective major surgery, finding and treating anaemia early may reduce avoidable transfusion and improve preparation. If anaemia is newly discovered, the team may investigate the cause rather than treating the laboratory number alone. Treatment may include iron tablets or iron through a drip, depending on the cause and the time available before surgery.