Blood Disorders 103

Blood Disorders

Blood is essential for life. It carries oxygen and nutrients to every 

part of the body. Blood also fights infections and heals injuries. 

Therefore, disorders of the blood can have a great effect on your 

health.

You can protect your health by understanding the symptoms 

of common blood disorders. If you think you may have one of 

these conditions, talk to your doctor. With early diagnosis and 

the right treatment, many women with blood disorders are able 

to live full and healthy lives.

What is blood?

Blood is made up of several types of cells and proteins:

• Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells 

throughout the body.

• White blood cells help fight infections.

• Platelets help form clots to stop bleeding.

• Plasma, the liquid part of blood, contains many types 

of proteins. These include proteins that help the blood 

to clot and proteins that protect the body from viruses 

and infection. Plasma also contains substances such 

as dissolved salts, sugars, and hormones.

Blood cells are produced by the soft tissue inside your 

bones, called bone marrow. Your body produces hundreds of billions of new blood cells each day.

Blood disorders

Blood disorders are diseases that affect one or more parts of the blood. The 

symptoms depend on the part of the 

blood affected:

l	 Bleeding disorders prevent the 

blood from forming clots, which 

stop bleeding after an injury. (See pages 106 and 107 for more information 

on different bleeding disorders.)

l	 Clotting disorders cause blood to clot 

too easily, creating a condition called 

thrombophilia (throm-boh-FIL-ee-uh). 

(See page 109 for more information.)
104 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

l	 Anemia (uh-NEE-mee-uh) is a condition in which the blood has too few 

healthy red blood cells. (See page 109 

for more information.)

l	 Disorders of the bone marrow, such as 

leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh), may affect the production of blood cells. (See 

page 58 of the Cancer chapter for more 

information.)

Causes of blood disorders

Many blood disorders are inherited. If 

you have a history of a blood disorder in 

your family, you might have a higher risk 

of developing the disorder yourself or 

carrying the gene for the disorder. Blood 

disorders may also be caused by:

l	 other diseases or conditions

l	 the side effects of medications

l	 a lack of certain nutrients in your diet

Blood disorders can be acute or chronic. 

Acute blood disorders occur suddenly 

and last a short time. For example, rapid 

or excessive blood loss may cause acute 

anemia. Once the bleeding is stopped 

and blood levels return to normal, the 

anemia is cured.

A chronic blood disorder is a disorder 

that develops slowly or lasts a long time. 

Many chronic disorders, such as sickle 

What is coagulation?

Coagulation (koh-ag-yuh-LAY-shuhn)—

or clotting—stops bleeding after a 

blood vessel is injured. There are three 

steps in this process:

1. The blood vessel narrows, slowing 

the flow of blood.

2. The platelets begin to “stick” to the 

site of the injury and form a clot.

3. Clotting factors in the blood help to 

build the clot and keep it in place. 

After the bleeding stops, the blood 

vessel starts to heal, and the clot 

begins to break down.

Bleeding disorders can disrupt any 

part of this process.

cell anemia, cannot be cured. But the 

symptoms can be treated.

It is important to have blood disorders 

diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Proper treatment can relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Bleeding disorders

If you have a bleeding disorder, your 

blood may not clot normally. The chart 

on pages 106 and 107 describes several 

common bleeding disorders that affect 

women.

Causes of bleeding disorders

Some bleeding disorders are inherited, including von Willebrand disease 

(vWD) and hemophilia (hee-muh-FILee-uh). If there is a history of bleeding 

problems in your family, talk to your 

doctor. You may need to be tested.

Other factors that prevent or slow clotting include:
Blood Disorders 105

l	 certain types of drugs—including aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 

drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs

l	 a lack of vitamin K

l	 other disorders, including autoimmune 

(aw-toh-ih-MYOON) diseases, bone 

marrow disorders, leukemia, thyroid 

disease, Cushing syndrome, and liver 

and renal diseases

Symptoms of bleeding disorders

Bleeding disorders often cause unusual 

bleeding of the female reproductive 

system. You may have heavy menstrual 

bleeding. If you have a reproductive disorder that causes bleeding, such as endometriosis (EN-doh-MEE-tree-OHsuhss), a bleeding disorder can make 

your symptoms worse. (See page 158 of 

the Reproductive Health chapter for more 

information.)

Other symptoms of bleeding disorders are:

l	 bleeding or bruising easily

l	 bleeding too much or for a long time

l	 nosebleeds

Getting diagnosed

Mild bleeding disorders often go undiagnosed. Because women normally bleed 

with menstruation and childbirth, it may 

be hard for you or your doctor to recognize abnormal bleeding.

Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. 

You may need to be tested for a bleeding 

disorder if you:

l	 have heavy menstrual bleeding

l	 have a history of bleeding disorders in 

your family

Pregnancy

Pregnancy boosts levels of proteins 

that help the blood to clot. This may 

help control bleeding. However, levels 

of these clotting proteins will still be 

lower than normal. If you have a bleeding disorder, you may be at risk for 

problems during pregnancy such as:

• miscarriage or stillbirth

• bleeding during pregnancy

• heavy bleeding after childbirth

These are symptoms that your menstrual 

bleeding might be heavier than normal:

l	 soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for 2 to 3 hours in a row

l	 blood clots more than 1 inch in diameter

l	 anemia (See page 109 for more information.)

You may need to consult a hematologist, 

a specialist in blood disorders, for additional blood tests. Tests for one of the 

most common disorders, vWD, may be 

uncertain. You may need repeated testing 

to find out if you have vWD.
106 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Treating bleeding disorders

Inherited bleeding disorders cannot be 

cured. But treatments can:

l	 relieve symptoms

l	 prevent dangerous bleeding during or 

after surgery or dental work

l	 prevent complications during and after 

pregnancy

The treatments below can reduce blood 

loss. Your treatment plan will depend on 

the type of bleeding disorder you have 

and your symptoms.

l	 Birth control pills may help reduce 

menstrual bleeding.

l	 Desmopressin acetate (dess-mohPRESS-uhn A-suh-tayt) is a 

drug that can control menstrual bleeding and prevent excessive bleeding 

during and after surgery or dental 

work.

l	 Antifibrinolytics (an-teye-FEYEbruhn-uhl-IHT-ihks) are drugs that 

keep clots from breaking down. They 

can help reduce menstrual bleeding, 

nosebleeds, and excess bleeding from 

surgery or dental work. 

l	 Clotting factor concentrates—medicines that provide extra factors to help 

blood clot—may improve symptoms 

when other treatments don’t work.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can interfere 

with your personal and professional life. 

If the treatments above don’t help control this symptom, there are surgeries 

that can permanently stop menstruation. 

However, these surgeries will cause you 

to be unable to get pregnant.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and 

benefits of treatments. You may need to 

try several treatments to find out what 

works best for you.

Common Bleeding Disorders in Women

von Willebrand Disease (vWD)

Causes vWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. It is caused by deficiencies or 

defects in von Willebrand Factor (vWF). vWF is a substance in the blood that helps clots 

to form. 

Symptoms • Heavy bleeding during periods (the most common symptom)

• Bruising easily

• Prolonged or excessive bleeding after dental work or surgery

• Excessive postpartum bleeding

Diagnosis • Blood tests can measure vWF activity in your blood. 

• Hormones and medications affect vWF levels, making diagnosis difficult.

• If you have symptoms but your blood tests are negative for vWD, you may need to be 

tested again. 

Treatments vWD cannot be cured, but the following treatments may relieve your symptoms:

• Birth control pills

• Desmopressin acetate 

• Antifibrinolytics

• Clotting factor concentrates

• Surgery to stop menstruation
Blood Disorders 107

Common Bleeding Disorders in Women

Hemophilia Carrier Status

Causes Hemophilia is caused by an inherited genetic mutation on the X chromosome. If men 

inherit this trait, they have hemophilia, a severe bleeding disorder. Women who inherit 

this mutation are carriers of the disease—they do not have hemophilia, but they may 

pass the disease on to their children.

Symptoms Most hemophilia carriers do not have symptoms. Some women have mild bleeding 

symptoms, such as:

• Heavy bleeding during periods

• Prolonged or excessive bleeding after dental work, surgery, serious injury, or 

childbirth

Diagnosis If you have a family history of hemophilia, genetic testing can determine whether you 

are a carrier.

Treatments Hemophilia cannot be cured. The following treatments can stop or prevent excessive 

bleeding:

• Birth control pills

• Desmopressin acetate 

• Antifibrinolytics

• Clotting factor replacement

Scientists are studying gene therapy, which may treat, or even cure, hemophilia in the 

future.

Thrombocytopenia

Causes Thrombocytopenia (throm-buh-syt-uh-PEE-nee-uh) is a condition in which there are too 

few platelets in the blood. It is caused by medications and by other diseases, including:

• Anemia

• Leukemia

• HIV

• Disorders such as Gaucher’s disease that cause the spleen to become enlarged and 

trap platelets

• Disorders in which platelets break down too quickly

Symptoms • Bruising easily

• Heavy bleeding during periods

• Bleeding under the skin and bleeding of the gums and digestive tract

Diagnosis Blood tests can detect low platelet levels. Additional testing may be needed to find the 

cause. 

Treatments The underlying cause must be treated. 

Clotting disorders

If you have a clotting disorder, your 

blood may clot too easily. This condition 

is called thrombophilia (throm-bohFIL-ee-uh). It may cause blood clots to 

form in veins and sometimes in arteries. 

These clots can move through the bloodstream and block small blood vessels.

Causes of thrombophilia

Thrombophilia may be inherited or acquired. Common causes include gene 
108 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Valve

Blood clot

Blood flow

mutations, protein deficiencies, and certain autoimmune disorders.

If you have thrombophilia, some conditions or drugs can increase your risk of 

clotting:

l	 heart failure

l	 obesity, which puts pressure on veins

l	 pregnancy

l	 using the birth control pill or menopausal hormonal therapy

Your risk can also be raised by sitting 

or lying in one position for a long time, 

such as during recovery from surgery or 

sitting still during a long flight.

Symptoms of thrombophilia

The main symptom is clotting in veins or 

arteries. Clots may cause swelling, pain, 

or redness.

Thrombophilia may cause blood clots to 

form in veins deep inside the leg. This 

is called deep vein thrombosis (thromBOH-suhss), commonly known as DVT. 

These clots can break loose and block 

blood vessels in the lung. This is called a 

pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms 

of PE are shortness of breath or sharp 

chest pains, especially when you inhale. 

Because the clot stops the flow of blood, 

PE can damage lung tissue and even 

cause death.

Thrombophilia is a common disorder, 

affecting about 1 in every 5 Americans. 

Many people with thrombophilia never 

develop clots. Because pregnancy and 

medications that contain hormones increase the risk of blood clots, women are 

at higher risk for clotting than men.

Getting diagnosed

If you have a personal or family history of blood clots, DVT, or PE, talk to 

your doctor about whether you should 

be tested for thrombophilia. You should 

also talk to your doctor before using the 

birth control pill, birth control patch, or 

menopausal hormone therapy. Finding 

out whether you have the disorder can 

help you get the proper treatment.

Treating thrombophilia

Inherited thrombophilia cannot be 

cured. However, blood-thinning drugs 

prevent excessive clotting. You may need 

these drugs only when you are at high 

risk of clots—during pregnancy, for instance. Some women need to take these 

drugs throughout their lives.
Blood Disorders 109

Common Clotting Disorders in Women

Thrombophilia

Causes Inherited conditions that cause thrombophilia include:

• Mutated genes, such as Factor V Leiden (LAY-din) mutation and prothrombin (prohTHROM-bin) 20210 mutation

• A lack of certain blood proteins, including protein C, protein S, and antithrombin

• Hyperhomocysteinemia (heye-pur-hoh-moh-siss-tuh-NEE-mee-uh), an increase in an 

amino acid in the blood caused by a mutation in the MTHFR gene

Scientists are still studying how genes contribute to thrombophilia. This research may 

help to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Thrombophilia may be caused by some autoimmune disorders (see the Autoimmune 

Diseases chapter on page 83 for more information about these diseases):

• Antiphospholipid (an-teye-FOSS-foh-lip-ihd) antibody syndrome

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (LOO-puhss ur-ih-thee-muh-TOH-suhss)

Symptoms • Blood clots in veins or arteries, such as deep vein thrombosis

• Pulmonary embolism

Diagnosis Blood tests can diagnose thrombophilia and determine its cause.

Treatments • Blood thinning drugs heparin and warfarin can prevent future clots. 

• Some women need to take blood thinners only when they are at high risk of a clot.

• Some women may need continuous treatment.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Causes DIC is a type of acquired thrombophilia. Excessive clotting depletes platelets and clotting factors. DIC may be caused by:

• Severe infections

• Cancer

• Pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption (the breaking away of the 

placenta from the womb) or a dead fetus that remains in the womb

This clotting removes platelets and clotting factors from the blood, causing uncontrolled bleeding.

Symptoms • Blood clots throughout the bloodstream

• Excessive bleeding

Diagnosis Blood tests

Treatments The cause of DIC must be treated. Platelets and clotting factors are administered to 

control bleeding.

Anemia

Anemia is caused by a lack of healthy red 

blood cells. It is a common disorder, affecting more than 3 million Americans. 

Women, especially women of childbearing age, are more likely to have anemia 

than men. This is because women lose 

blood during menstruation and 

childbirth.

Causes of anemia

There are many different types of anemia 

and a variety of causes, including:

l	 major blood loss
110 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

l	 lack of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or 

vitamin C

l	 diseases that damage bone marrow

l	 inherited disorders that cause defects 

in red blood cells 

l	 disorders that cause your immune system to attack red blood cells

Symptoms of anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the 

number of healthy red blood cells in 

your blood is lower than normal. This 

lowers oxygen levels in the blood. If you 

have mild anemia, you may not have 

symptoms, or you may have symptoms 

only when you are physically active. 

What is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. It causes red 

blood cells to be crescent-shaped 

instead of round. These sickle 

cells break down more quickly 

than normal cells, causing anemia. Sickle cells may also block 

blood vessels, a condition called 

a sickle cell crisis. Crises cause 

pain and complications such 

as stroke, infections, and organ 

damage.

If you inherit two sickle cell 

genes, one from each parent, you 

will have sickle cell disease. If 

you inherit only one gene, you will 

have the sickle cell trait. Although 

women with sickle cell trait may 

not have any symptoms, they can 

pass the trait on to their children.

People whose ancestors are from 

sub-Saharan Africa have the 

greatest risk of the disease.

ILLuSTRATION uSED WITH PERMISSION 

FROM THE NATIONAL HEART, LuNG, AND 

BLOOD INSTITuTE, NATIONAL INSTITuTES OF 

HEALTH, u.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HuMAN SERVICES. ILLuSTRATION: MICHAEL 

LINkINHOkER, LINk STuDIO, LLC.
Blood Disorders 111

Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and 

shortness of breath.

Getting diagnosed

If you experience these symptoms, talk 

to your doctor. Blood tests can find out 

whether you have anemia. Additional 

tests may be needed to find the cause.

Treating anemia

Your treatment will depend on the type 

of anemia you have. In some cases, treating the cause will cure anemia. Inherited 

forms of anemia, such as sickle cell disease, cannot be cured, but treatments can 

relieve the symptoms and prevent complications. Scientists are studying new 

medicines and treatments such as gene 

therapy and bone marrow transplants. 

These may provide even better treatments for anemia in the future.

Types of Anemia

Acute blood loss anemia

Causes Blood loss may be caused by:

• Injury

• Surgery

• Childbirth

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• Bleeding from the digestive or urinary tracts

Symptoms • Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Shortness of breath

• Pale skin

• Cold hands and feet

• Chest pain

Diagnosis • Blood tests are used to diagnose anemia. 

• Physical exams and other tests may be needed to find the cause of the blood loss.

Treatment • If your anemia is caused by internal bleeding, surgery may be needed to stop the 

blood loss.

• Lost blood may be replaced with a blood transfusion.
112 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Types of Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia

Causes You may have low iron because of:

• Blood loss

• Lack of iron in your diet

• Problems absorbing the iron in your diet

Symptoms • Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Shortness of breath

• Pale skin

• Cold hands and feet

• Chest pain

• A condition called pica, in which you crave nonfood items (ice, dirt, or paint, for example)

• Restless leg syndrome

Diagnosis • Blood tests can diagnose anemia.

• A physical exam and other tests may be needed to determine the cause.

• Because iron deficiency anemia is very common during pregnancy, pregnant women 

should be tested.

Treatment Iron deficiency anemia may be treated (and even prevented) by:

• Taking iron supplements, as directed by your doctor

• Eating iron-rich foods, such as:

• meat (especially red meat)

• eggs

• iron-fortified grains and cereals

• beans and nuts

• dried fruit

• dark green, leafy vegetables

• Eating foods that contain vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12, which help your body 

absorb iron
Blood Disorders 113

Types of Anemia

Sickle cell disease

Causes Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells. 

• Red blood cells are crescent-shaped, instead of round. 

• Sickle cells die more quickly than normal cells, causing anemia. 

• Sickle cells may block blood vessels, leading to painful crises and organ damage.

Symptoms • Fatigue

• Pale skin

• Jaundice

• Shortness of breath

• Sickle cell crises (caused by blocked blood vessels)

Diagnosis • Blood tests can determine whether you have sickle cell disease or the sickle cell 

trait.

Treatment Treatments include:

• Hydroxyurea (heye-DRAHk-see-yoo-REE-uh), a drug that can prevent sickle cell crises

• Flu shots and vaccinations to prevent infection

• Pain medications

To prevent crises:

• Get regular checkups.

• Avoid conditions that may trigger a crisis, such as stress and dehydration.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Thalassemia

Causes Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-mee-uh) is a group of inherited blood disorders that 

cause defective red blood cells and anemia. These disorders are most common 

among people from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Southern China, and 

the Mediterranean.

Symptoms Anemia symptoms may be mild to severe, depending on the type of thalassemia.

Diagnosis Blood and genetic tests are used to diagnose the disease.

Treatment • Blood transfusions supply healthy red blood cells. 

• Iron chelation (kee-LAY-shuhn) therapy may be needed to remove iron, which builds 

up after repeated blood transfusions.
114 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Bone marrow disorders

Some disorders damage bone marrow, 

where blood cells are produced. This 

may increase or decrease the number of 

healthy cells in your blood, causing excessive bleeding or clotting, anemia, or 

increased fevers and infections.

Myeloproliferative (MEYE-uh-lohpruh-LIF-uh-ruh-tiv) diseases and 

myelodysplastic (MEYE-uh-loh-dissPLASS-tik) syndromes are bone marrow

disorders that are most common among 

older adults. 

l	 Myeloproliferative diseases cause too 

many blood cells to be produced. These 

cells may be red blood cells, white 

blood cells, or platelets.

l	 Myelodysplastic syndromes reduce 

the number of healthy blood cells. 

You may have too few red blood cells, 

white blood cells, or platelets.

These disorders may turn into leukemia, 

a cancer that affects the bone marrow. 

(See page 58 of the Cancer chapter for 

more information.)

Fertility and pregnancy

Many blood disorders cause complications during pregnancy. You may also 

worry about passing these disorders on 

to your children. Getting diagnosed before you conceive can help you protect 

your health and the health of your children. The following chart describes common fertility and pregnancy issues that 

women with blood disorders may face.

Blood Disorders, Fertility, and Pregnancy

Bleeding disorders

Fertility issues • 

• 

• 

Treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding can interfere with fertility. The effects 

of the birth control pill are temporary. Surgeries to prevent menstruation, such as 

hysterectomy or endometrial ablation (destruction of the lining of the uterus), result 

in permanent sterility. If you plan to become pregnant, ask your doctor about other 

treatment options.

Women with a family history of hemophilia may worry about passing the disease on 

to their children. It is important to get tested before you conceive.

If you are a hemophilia carrier, genetic counseling can help you understand your 

risks and your options.

Pregnancy • Because pregnancy increases certain clotting proteins in the blood, you may have 

issues

• 

• 

fewer symptoms during pregnancy.

Women with some types of bleeding disorders have a higher risk of:

• miscarriage and stillbirth

• bleeding during pregnancy

• excessive bleeding after childbirth

Talk to your doctor about treatments to prevent these complications.
Blood Disorders 115

Blood Disorders, Fertility, and Pregnancy

Thrombophilia

Pregnancy 

issues

Blood clots more easily during pregnancy. Therefore, women with thrombophilia are at 

even greater risk of developing clots in blood vessels. Thrombophilia also increases the 

risk of:

• miscarriages

• stillbirth

• placental abruption (detachment of the placenta)

Pregnant women should be tested for thrombophilia if they have had:

• A blood clot

• Family members who have experienced blood clots before the age of 50

• The pregnancy complications listed above

Treatment with blood thinning drugs such as heparin can help prevent dangerous blood 

clots and pregnancy complications.

Anemia

Fertility issues • Women who have sickle cell disease or thalassemia—or who carry the genes for 

these disorders—may worry about passing the diseases on to their children. 

• Genetic counseling and testing can help you understand your risks and options.

Pregnancy 

issues

• Talk to your doctor about whether you need to take iron supplements, change your 

diet to prevent or treat anemia, or both.

• Women need more iron during pregnancy. Therefore, iron deficiency anemia is 

common, affecting about half of all pregnant women.

• You should be tested for anemia during pregnancy, even if you do not have any 

symptoms.

Living with blood disorders

Blood disorders do not have to interfere 

with your day-to-day activities, work, or 

quality of life. 

l	 Get diagnosed. If you have a family 

or personal history of blood disorders 

or symptoms, talk to your doctor. You 

may need to be tested.

l	 Get the treatment you need. Although many blood disorders cannot 

be cured, treatments can relieve your 

symptoms and help you feel better.

l	 Take care of your health. For some 

disorders, there are steps you can take 

to prevent symptoms and dangerous 

complications.

l	 Take care of your emotions. You may 

have symptoms, such as heavy menstrual bleeding or fatigue, that affect 

your life on a daily basis. You may also 

face fears about your own health or the 

health of your children. Counseling 

can help you cope with your disorder 

and make informed choices about your 

health. n
116 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

One Woman’s Story

I

n the summer of 2003, my marriage began to unravel, and by December my husband 

had moved out of our home. In January I began to feel tired and listless, leading my 

doctor to diagnose me with depression. Agreeing that I had enough to be depressed 

about, I began taking antidepressants. I realized immediately that depression was not my 

problem; the antidepressants were making me feel even worse.

For weeks I went to the doctor, spent 

my lunch hours resting in my car, and 

was barely able to work. I depended on 

my coworkers to do most of my work. 

Finally, one of my coworkers confronted 

me in tears, worried about me. Out 

of desperation, and in tears myself, I 

called a friend who is a physician, although not mine. She took blood samples and found that I was very anemic. 

She gave me a prescription for iron 

tablets and asked to see me again in a 

week. At the end of the week I had not 

improved at all. In fact, my hemoglobin 

was dangerously low. At that point she 

called my doctor, explained the situation, and asked her to admit me to the 

hospital. Reluctantly, my doctor admitted me, and I spent a week having tests 

and getting blood transfusions. At the end of the hospital stay we knew I was bleeding 

somewhere internally—we just didn’t know where.

I had my medical records moved to my friend’s office and she continued to search for a 

solution to my bleeding problem. Finally, after I had consulted with an oncologist and received several doses of iron intravenously, it was discovered that I have spots on my intestines that seep blood. The good news was that I could manage the condition. If I never 

take aspirin, keep a close watch on my hemoglobin, and get transfusions of iron when my 

hemoglobin is low, I am fine. 

My experience shows that you have to trust your instincts and not be afraid to switch doctors to find the answers you need. Anemia can be a sign of a variety of health issues, and 

I am so glad we were able to get to the root cause of mine.

Anemia can be a 

sign of a variety of 

health issues, and I 

am so glad we were 

able to get to the 

root cause of mine.

Jackee

Burlington, North Carolina
Blood Disorders 117

For More Information...

Office on Women’s Health, HHS

200 Independence Ave SW, Room 712E

Washington, DC 20201

Web site: www.womenshealth.gov/faq/

bleed.htm

Phone number: (800) 994-9662, 

(888) 220-5446 TDD

Division of Blood Disorders, CDC

1600 Clifton Rd

Atlanta, GA 30333

Web site: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hbd

Phone number: (800) 232-4636, 

(888) 232-6348 TTY

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

Information Center, NIH

PO Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105

Web site: www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Phone number: (301) 592-8573, 

(240) 629-3255 TTY

National Hematologic Diseases 

Information Service, NIH

7 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892–3571

Web site: www.hematologic.niddk.nih.gov

Phone number: (888) 828–0877

American Society of Hematology

1900 M St NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036

Web site: www.hematology.org

Cooley’s Anemia Foundation

330 Seventh Ave, Suite 900

New York, NY 10001

Web site: www.thalassemia.org

Phone number: (800) 522-7222

Iron Disorders Institute

2722 Wade Hampton Blvd, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29615

Web site: www.irondisorders.org

Phone number: (888) 565-4766

National Anemia Action Council

555 E Wells St, Suite 1100

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Web site: www.anemia.org 

National Hemophilia Foundation

116 W 32nd St, 11th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Web site: www.hemophilia.org

www.projectredflag.org

Phone number: (800) 424-2634

Sickle Cell Disease Association of 

America

231 E Baltimore St, Suite 800

Baltimore, MD 21202

Web site: www.sicklecelldisease.org

Phone number: (800) 421-8453
118 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages