Complete Guide to Anemia Symptoms, Hemoglobin Function, Root Causes, and Effective Treatments (Including IV Fluids)

If you often feel worn out, get light-headed when standing up, or notice cold hands and feet, you may be experiencing more than simple fatigue—these signs can indicate anemia. My older sister also deals with chronic anemia, and like many women, her symptoms were often overlooked at first. Anemia isn’t just about “not having enough blood.” It is a condition where hemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen—is insufficient or not functioning properly.

In this guide, you’ll learn what anemia really is, how hemoglobin works, what causes anemia, how each type is treated, and why IV fluids offer only temporary relief rather than true correction.

Infographic showing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets separately, with a close-up view of hemoglobin inside a red blood cell.

1. Hemoglobin: The Protein Most Closely Linked to Anemia

1) What Is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is made of heme (which contains iron) and globin, a protein structure.
The iron (Fe) within the heme component is what binds oxygen.
Globin stabilizes the molecule so oxygen can attach and detach efficiently.

2) What Does Hemoglobin Do?

Think of hemoglobin as your body’s oxygen delivery service. Anemia is essentially a problem of oxygen transport, not simply a problem of blood quantity.

It picks up oxygen in the lungs
Carries it to every cell so the body can produce energy
Then collects carbon dioxide and brings it back to the lungs for exhalation

3) Normal Hemoglobin Ranges

Men: 13–17 g/dL
Women: 12–15 g/dL
Values below these ranges may lead to a diagnosis of anemia.

2. How Red Blood Cells Are Made (and Why Problems Occur)

1) Stages of Red Blood Cell Formation

Stem cells in the bone marrow develop into red blood cell precursors.
These cells mature and begin synthesizing hemoglobin.
Essential nutrients at this stage: iron, vitamin B12, and folate.
Once fully developed, the red blood cell enters circulation and transports oxygen.

2) Roles of Key Nutrients

Nutrient	Role	Deficiency Leads To
Iron	Core component of hemoglobin; binds oxygen	Iron-deficiency anemia
Vitamin B12	Necessary for DNA synthesis and cell maturation	Pernicious anemia (large, dysfunctional RBCs)
Folate	Essential for DNA synthesis	Megaloblastic anemia

3) Problems When These Nutrients Are Lacking

Iron deficiency: Low hemoglobin → poor oxygen transport → fatigue, dizziness
B12/folate deficiency: Red blood cells become large but ineffective → anemia + possible neurological symptoms (especially with B12 deficiency)

Illustration showing the step-by-step process of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow developing into red blood cells.

3. Major Causes of Anemia — From Common to Complex

1) Nutritional Deficiency Anemia (Most Common)

Long-term deficiencies in iron, B12, or folate weaken the body’s ability to produce red blood cells.

Early stage: mild fatigue, paleness, dizziness
Long term: chronic anemia due to impaired cell production

This is considered “production-deficit anemia” and includes:

Iron-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia (B12 malabsorption)

2) Bone Marrow–Related Anemia (More Difficult to Treat)

If the bone marrow—the factory for red and white blood cells—fails to function:

Nutrients alone will NOT fix the problem
Disorders include myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aplastic anemia
More common in older adults, cancer survivors, and people exposed to radiation
Requires evaluation and treatment by a hematologist

3) Circulation or Heart-Related Issues

Low blood volume or weakened heart function can create anemia-like symptoms such as dizziness or low blood pressure.

This is a secondary effect, not true anemia—though chronic bleeding or heart failure can eventually lower red blood cell counts.

Key Point:
Chronic or pernicious anemia is usually caused by problems in red blood cell production—not simply low blood pressure or circulation issues.

**4. IV Fluids (IV Drips): What They Do and What They Do Not Do**

Many people with anemia feel better temporarily after getting an IV drip, but IV fluids do not treat anemia at its root.

1) What IV Fluids Actually Do

Replenish fluids and electrolytes
Improve blood volume
Help stabilize blood pressure
Reduce dizziness from dehydration or low blood volume

2) Temporary Benefits Only

If your dizziness or fatigue comes partly from low hydration or sudden drops in blood pressure, IV fluids may help briefly.

But:

❌ IV fluids do NOT increase hemoglobin
❌ IV fluids do NOT create new red blood cells
❌ IV fluids do NOT fix nutritional deficiencies

3) Why You Still Need Real Treatment

For genuine correction, treatments must address the cause:

Iron deficiency → iron supplements or IV iron
B12 deficiency → B12 injections
Blood loss → stop the bleeding, possible transfusion
Bone marrow failure → specialized hematology treatment

Scene of a patient with an IV line in the arm, while medical staff check the IV solution and the fluid bag is hanging.

5. Root Treatments Based on the Type of Anemia

1) Chronic Anemia

A long-lasting state where the body either cannot produce enough red blood cells or keeps losing them.

Cause	Treatment
Iron, B12, folate deficiency	Supplements (oral or injection), dietary correction
Chronic diseases (kidney disease, inflammation)	Treat underlying disease
Chronic blood loss (GI bleeding, heavy periods)	Stop bleeding + iron replacement
Reduced marrow function	EPO injections, possible transfusion

2) Pernicious Anemia

Caused by intrinsic factor deficiency, meaning the gut cannot absorb vitamin B12.

Treatment:

Vitamin B12 injections (most effective)
High-dose oral B12 only if injectable form is not possible
Treat related conditions (autoimmune gastritis, thyroid issues)
B12-rich foods: meat, eggs, dairy, fish
(Vegetarians/vegans need supplementation)

3) Supportive Treatments

Blood transfusion: severe cases (Hb < 7–8 g/dL)
EPO injections: kidney-related anemia
Diet and lifestyle adjustments

6. Possible Side Effects During Treatment

1) By Treatment Type

Treatment	Possible Side Effects	Notes
Iron supplements	Constipation, dark stools, stomach upset	Improve with hydration, fiber, vitamin C
Vitamin B12 injections	Mild soreness or fever	Generally very safe
Folate supplements	Minimal issues	Take with food if sensitive
EPO	Increased blood pressure	Needs monitoring
Transfusions	Rare allergic reactions	Performed under medical supervision

Compared with chemotherapy, anemia treatments are much gentler. The most common issue is constipation from iron supplements.

2) Relationship Between Anemia and Low Blood Pressure

Anemia can cause low blood pressure symptoms because:

Low hemoglobin → low oxygen
Body compensates → unstable circulation
Result → dizziness, palpitations, fatigue

Correcting anemia usually improves these symptoms.

Image displaying foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate, including red meat, liver, oysters, eggs, spinach, broccoli, lentils, and avocado.

7. Diet and Lifestyle Habits for Improving Anemia

1) Eat Foods Rich in Key Nutrients

Nutrient	Foods	Tips
Iron	Red meat, liver, shellfish, spinach, beans	Pair with vitamin C for better absorption
Vitamin B12	Beef, eggs, milk, fish	Vegans need supplements
Folate	Broccoli, spinach, avocado, legumes	Light cooking preserves nutrients

2) Is Diet Alone Enough?

Mild anemia: often yes, if caught early
Moderate to severe anemia: usually requires supplements or injections

3) Exercise

Light activities (walking, stretching) improve circulation
Avoid intense workouts when severely fatigued

4) After Recovery

Most people return to work, exercise, and daily activities without issues once hemoglobin stabilizes.

Regular monitoring is essential if:

You frequently become iron deficient
You have pernicious anemia
You have chronic disease–related anemia

Conclusion

Anemia is not simply “weak blood”—it’s a condition where the system responsible for producing blood becomes impaired. With appropriate treatment, proper nutrition, and healthy habits, most people can recover fully and live without fatigue or dizziness.

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References

Mayo Clinic – Anemia Overview
NIH – Iron and Health
WebMD – Types and Treatment of Anemia
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency – Understanding Anemia
Korean Red Cross Blood Services – Anemia Guide
Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety – Guidelines for Iron and Vitamin B12 Intake

※ Some of the images in this article were created using AI image generation tools, including Miricanvas, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Wrtn.

The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for any personal health concerns.

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