My Experience Testing For Anaemia

I’m quite sure I did not have anaemia from my previous blood tests, but you just never know until you get tested. So last week, there was a free test happening at Health Lane Pharmacy in Kepong and I thought why not get some stats so that I know for sure. How does the test work? It just takes seconds really.

Basically, my finger was pricked and a little blood was taken.

My blood was then tested with this little Hemo Control machine, and it took a few seconds to measure.

There, my results. The machine will show a number that indicates my hemoglobin level.

So thank God I am in the normal range. For non pregnant women above 15 years old, that is me, a range of 12-15 is normal. If below 12, then it is anaemic. For pregnant women, a range of 11 and above is normal, below 11 is anaemic. For men above 15 years old, a range of 13-18 is normal while below 15 is anaemic.

I know about Anaemia for a long time because some of my colleagues have them. I find it pretty dangerous to have this, as there was once my colleague suddenly fainted in front of me due to her condition. Anaemia is basically known as lack of red blood cell, or more accurately a condition in which the amount of haemoglobin or number of red blood cells is insufficient to meet the body’s physiological needs. It is often the result of nutritional deficiency, genetics and chronic diseases. Us women face a higher risk of anaemia due to iron loss during menstruation and pregnancy. Usually, doctors would advise my colleagues to eat more food that is high in iron like clams for eg, but that is also high in cholesterol, and at our age, we really have to watch our cholesterol levels too. In fact, I personally faced a fainting episode myself in the train when I was pregnant, it was a scary moment as I was nearly going to black out and I wondered what will happen to me in the crowd. Thankfully, at that moment the train stopped and I managed to quickly step out and the breath of fresh air made me felt ok again.

Besides getting a direct blood test, there are some ways you can know whether you have anaemia or not or are at the borderline. The symptoms are: – Tiredness and feeling weak – Dizziness – Pale skin – Shortness of breath – Rapid heart beat, as heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout your body

Some of the most common causes of anaemia are: – Blood loss during menstruation and other causes – Pregnancy and lactation – Poor dietary intake or iron-rich food such as red meat, liver, fish and spinach – Vegetarian diet – Frequent consumption of tea, coffee or milk which reduce iron absorption
Iron is needed to produce haemoglobin in our bone marrow, thus that is why without iron, we will not be able to produce enough red blood cells.

The easiest and fastest method to get some iron replenished is to take a supplement, and Merck has come out with this supplement called Sangobion, and this is not a drug but a vitamin.

Basically one tablet contains Ferrous Gluconate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Managanese sulphate, copper sulphate and Sorbitol. I remember taking iron and folic acid tablets separately during my pregnancy and even when I donate blood the last ten times. It would be great to have an all in one tab like the Sangobion. This tablet can be taken even by people without iron deficiency, especially for women during your mentruation days just to replenish the loss of blood.

Each box is a month’s supply of 28 tabs in a dark maroon capsule with Merck branding on it.

I felt great after taking the test as now I learned so much more about anaemia, how it is caused and the prevention methods as well as the common symptoms. Now I can share with my colleagues how they too can live a life free of anaemia with Sangobion.
You can get your free blood test at these locations. For more info visit http://www.sangobion.com.my or www.facebook.com/Sangobion-Malaysia

Venue: Caring Pharmacy, Lot LG 03A & 05, Lower Ground Floor, Tropicana City Mall, 3, Jalan SS 20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Date: 9th Nov 2015
Time: 10am to 4pm

Venue: Farmasi One Care, No 412, Jln Besar Pandamaran, 42000 Pelabuhan Klang, Selangor.
Date: 13th to 21st Nov 2015

Venue: Guardian Pharmacy, KLCC
Date: 16th to 20th Nov 2015
Time: 11am to 3pm

Venue: Health Lane Pharmacy, 43-0-10, Jalan 1/48A, Bandar Baru Sentul, 51000 KL.
Date: 21st & 22nd Nov 2015
Time: 9am to 4pm

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Disclaimer: This is not a paid review, but supplements are given to assist in the post. All opinions are my own.