5 Warning Signs Your Blood Health Needs Medical Attention
Human bodies are good at giving indications if something goes wrong. Often, people miss warning signs related to poor blood health that require immediate medical attention.
Blood is the actual hero that ensures the smooth functioning of all of your body organs. If there is any issue with your blood, your overall health is affected.
From supplying oxygen to cells to protecting your body from infections, blood has multiple functions. Some of the common blood-related problems are anemia, clotting disorders, blood cancers, etc. This article talks about the top warning signs that your blood health requires medical attention.
What do You Mean by Blood Health?
Blood health refers to the proper functioning of all of the blood components, like platelets, RBC, WBC, etc. This keeps you healthy, thereby maintaining proper circulation. Let’s understand the functions of different components.
| Component | Primary Function | Signs of Abnormal Level |
| RBC | Carrying red blood cells | Fatigue and breathlessness |
| WBC | Dealing with infections | Frequent illness |
| Platelets | Help in blood clotting | Easy bleeding and bruising |
| Haemoglobin | Carrying oxygen from the respiratory organs to other tissues | Weakness and dizziness |
Table 1: Common Blood Components and Their Functions
You need to go to a walk-in clinic if you witness any abnormal signs.
What are the Top Warning Signs When Your Blood Health Requires Medical Attention?
The early signs of blood-related problems are overlooked because they look like normal fatigue. Here are the top five warning signs that your blood health is not good.
1. Persistent Fatigue
Occasional tiredness is common for everyone, and it goes away with proper sleep. Well, you might feel exhausted constantly despite getting adequate sleep. This is not normal and can be a warning sign of poor blood health.
Because of low energy levels, you fail to concentrate on any task. Here are the probable diseases where fatigue or weakness is the first sign.
| Disease | What to Know |
| Anaemia | Low levels of iron, Vitamin B12, or folate |
| Diabetes | Uncontrolled blood sugar level affects energy level, thereby making you feel weak |
| Thyroid disorders | Fatigue can be experienced in cases of both underactive and overactive thyroids |
| Bone marrow disorders | Feeling of fatigue when the marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells |
Table 2: Diseases That Cause Persistent Fatigue
You need to visit a hematologist (Hematologue) when you witness the symptoms of any blood-related disease. Some of the suggested tests are iron studies, full blood count, thyroid function test, etc.
2. Unusual Bruising or Bleeding
Unusual bruising or bleeding is a warning sign that shows that your blood health is not good. Do you experience prolonged bleeding from minor cuts? If yes, this is not normal. This indicates your blood’s inability to clot. The key considerations are bleeding gums, frequent nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, etc.
What are the probable reasons behind this warning sign? Well, this can lead to low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), blood cancer (like leukemia), Vitamin K deficiency, etc. The blood tests that are to be done when you experience this warning sign are a full blood count, liver function test, etc. Therefore, you must consider a walk-in clinic.
3. Unexplained Weight Changes
Any change in your diet or exercise habits can result in gaining or losing weight. Sometimes, it happens unexpectedly. This might result in thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances, or metabolic problems.
What makes an unexplained weight change a concern is that it is a common sign of diabetes. Also, you might be having hyperthyroidism. In certain instances, this warning sign also leads to chronic infections. If you are facing this issue, you need to undergo certain tests like HbA1c, fasting glucose, cortisol levels, etc.
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4. Shortness of Breath
Often, people ignore breathlessness during daily activities or at rest. Well, it should not be done. This can be due to any heart or lung conditions, but there is no point in ruling out blood-related diseases.
The most common blood-related issue where shortness of breath is a warning sign is severe anaemia. This is because of a low RBC level, along with reduced oxygen. It’s better to consult a hematologist (Hematologue) if you do not have any lung or heart disease. The key tests that are to be performed are full blood count, iron studies, B12 and folate, etc.
5. Pale or Yellow Skin
If you witness a sudden change in your skin colour, there might be a blood-related issue. This makes you consult a doctor immediately. Let’s understand what different tones indicate.
| Skin Colour | Possible Reason |
| Pale skin and lips | Low haemoglobin or anaemia |
| Yellowish skin | RBC breakdown |
| Greyish skin | Low oxygen levels |
Table 3: Different Skin Colours and Their Probable Reasons
You need to opt for a walk-in clinic if you witness such changes in your skin colour. Some of the recommended tests are the kidney function test, liver function test, Vitamin D, etc.
When to Consult a Specialist?
Here are the scenarios where you must visit a doctor because ignoring the signs is not the right choice.
- Symptoms lasting for more than 2 to 3 weeks
- Sudden worsening of any symptom
- Family history of blood disorders
Maintaining Good Blood Health: Top Tips to Consider
A good lifestyle results in maintaining good blood health. Let’s know the main tips.
- Follow a balanced diet rich in iron, folate, and Vitamin B12
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol use
- Engage in annual health checkups
To Conclude
Poor blood health indicates different blood-related diseases. Some of the common warning signs are persistent fatigue, sudden weight changes, shortness of breath, etc. You need to visit a doctor if any sign persists for more than 2 to 3 weeks.
Dealing with a Warning Sign of Poor Blood Health?
Find a reputable private medical centre in Canada. Book an appointment and go for the suggested tests. Get the right treatment. Treat the disease before it becomes a life-threatening one.
