🩸 Blood & Iron Health

Anemia Symptom Screener

Tired all the time? Short of breath on stairs that never used to bother you? Craving ice? These 12 questions cover the most common warning signs of anemia — the world's most widespread nutritional disorder — to help you decide whether it's worth a blood test.

1 in 4 people globally have anemia
1 in 5 women of reproductive age are affected
50% of cases are iron-deficiency
How have you been feeling over the past month?
Answer as honestly as you can — even mild symptoms matter.
0 of 12 answered 0%
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Energy & Circulation
1Do you feel unusually tired or weak — more than your activity level or sleep quality would explain?
2Do you feel short of breath during activities that didn't used to wind you — like climbing stairs or a brisk walk?
3Do you experience dizziness or lightheadedness — especially when you stand up quickly?
4Do you have pale or yellowish skin, or have others commented that you look unusually pale?
5Do you get frequent headaches that seem to come on without a clear trigger?
6Does your heart race, pound, or feel irregular — even when you're resting or doing something light?
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Physical & Sensory Signs
7Do you have persistently cold hands and feet — even when others around you are comfortable?
8Do your fingernails break easily, look pale or dull, or feel brittle? (A spoon-shaped curve is especially significant.)
9Do you crave or compulsively chew ice, or have unusual cravings for non-food items like clay, dirt, chalk, or starch? (known as pica)
10Do you have difficulty concentrating, feel mentally foggy, or find it hard to focus on tasks?
11Do you experience restless legs — an uncomfortable urge to move your legs, especially at night or when sitting still?
12Do you notice soreness, burning, or a swollen sensation in your tongue, or do you have recurring mouth sores?
Additional risk context (optional)
Do you have heavy or prolonged menstrual periods?
Do you follow a vegetarian, vegan, or very low meat diet?
Are you currently pregnant, or did you give birth in the past year?
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Iron deficiency is the #1 cause of anemia worldwide

Low ferritin can cause anemia even before your haemoglobin drops — and a GP may not test for it unless you ask. Our dedicated iron deficiency screener checks for the full picture.

Check Iron Deficiency Risk →
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anemia symptom score across 12 indicators

Low
0 – 7
Mild
8 – 16
Moderate
17 – 26
High
27 – 36
Domain A
Energy & Circulation
—/ 18
Domain B
Physical & Sensory Signs
—/ 18

Your most frequently reported symptoms:

What you can do right now:

    What is anemia?

    Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells — or when those cells don't contain enough haemoglobin — to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. Every cell in your body needs oxygen to function, so when delivery falls short, fatigue sets in fast.

    There are over 400 types of anemia, but most fall into three buckets: blood loss (heavy periods, GI bleeding), reduced production (iron, B12, or folate deficiency), or increased destruction (haemolytic conditions). Iron deficiency is the most common cause by far — and one of the most fixable.

    Iron-deficiency
    ~50% of cases
    Fatigue, pica, pale skin, spoon nails, restless legs. Ask: ferritin, serum iron, TIBC.
    B12 / Folate deficiency
    ~5–10%
    Tongue soreness, nerve tingling, mood changes. Ask: serum B12, RBC folate.
    Other causes
    ~40–45%
    Chronic disease, kidney disease, haemolysis, bone marrow issues. Full CBC required.

    Why anemia disproportionately affects women

    Women of reproductive age lose iron-rich blood every month through menstruation. Heavy periods can deplete iron faster than diet replenishes it. Pregnancy dramatically increases iron demand — and many women enter pregnancy already iron-depleted without knowing it.

    Global statistics on women & anemia
    37%pregnant women affected worldwide
    30%non-pregnant women of reproductive age
    42%children under 5 globally

    Many GPs order only a CBC (complete blood count) and may miss iron deficiency if haemoglobin is still normal. Always ask specifically for ferritin — it measures your iron stores and can be low even when haemoglobin looks fine.

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    NOTE: Anemia can only be confirmed with a blood test (CBC, ferritin). This screener assesses symptom burden only and cannot diagnose any condition. The pica question is especially significant if answered ≥2 — please raise it with your doctor, as it is a strong independent indicator of iron deficiency. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting iron supplements.