Lifestyle

7 Signs of Anemia Most People Blame on Getting Older

By Mike Harper · October 27, 2026

Feeling worn out by midafternoon, getting winded on the stairs or always reaching for a sweater can seem like ordinary parts of growing older. Each of those can also be a sign of anemia, a common blood condition that a routine blood test can detect.

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, according to Mayo Clinic. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that as you age, your chances of developing anemia increase, and Mayo Clinic lists people over age 65 among those at increased risk.

Mild anemia may cause no symptoms, the NHLBI says. Mayo Clinic notes that when another disease causes the anemia, that disease can mask its symptoms. These are the signs listed by Mayo Clinic, the NHLBI and MedlinePlus, the consumer health site of the National Library of Medicine.

Tiredness and weakness. Both appear at the top of the NHLBI and Mayo Clinic lists. With anemia, the body does not get enough oxygen-rich blood, and the NHLBI says the lack of oxygen can make you feel tired or weak. MedlinePlus adds that anemia can make a person irritable.

Shortness of breath. All three sources list it. Mayo Clinic advises making an appointment if you are tired or short of breath and don’t know why.

Pale or yellowish skin. The NHLBI lists paleness, and Mayo Clinic says pale or yellowish skin might be more obvious on white skin than on Black or brown skin. During an exam, the NHLBI says, a doctor may also look for a pale tongue or brittle nails.

Dizziness or lightheadedness. Each source lists dizziness. The NHLBI also includes fainting.

Feeling cold. Mayo Clinic lists cold hands and feet, the NHLBI lists chills, and MedlinePlus says anemia can make you feel tired, cold, dizzy, and irritable.

Headaches. Headaches appear on all three lists.

An irregular heartbeat. The NHLBI and Mayo Clinic both list it, and Mayo Clinic also lists chest pain. Mayo Clinic says that untreated anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat because the heart must pump more blood to make up for the shortage of oxygen, which over time can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

The cause matters as much as the diagnosis. Iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia, according to the NHLBI. Mayo Clinic says slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or another source inside the body can use up the body’s iron stores, and it lists regular use of some pain relievers, especially aspirin, among the sources of blood loss. Some people cannot absorb vitamin B12, which can lead to a form called pernicious anemia. The NHLBI says chronic kidney disease, inflammation from an infection, cancer and autoimmune disease can cause the body to make fewer red blood cells, and it notes that anemia may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as bleeding in the stomach.

Diagnosis usually starts with a complete blood count, which the NHLBI calls one of the most common blood tests, often done as part of a routine checkup. It measures red blood cells, hemoglobin and other parts of the blood. A doctor may then order other tests, such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy to look for bleeding. Treatment depends on the type of anemia and how serious it is, and may include iron supplements, vitamins or medicines that help the body make more red blood cells, according to the NHLBI.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about any symptoms. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.