Sometimes someone can still have a rosy flush while they are very anaemic, for example. Turn down the bottom eyelid, or look at the gums or under the tongue. The surface should look pink and flushed, well supplied with rich red blood. If it is pale here then there may be problems. Anaemia Anaemia is the most common cause of paleness, especially in young women.
Anaemia simply means that the levels of haemoglobin in the blood are low.
As haemoglobin is the pigment in blood which carries oxygen, a low level means the body's cells may not get enough oxygen, causing tiredness, shortness of breath, headache and other symptoms. Dietary changes and, if necessary, iron supplements, are usually enough to treat this. It's common after 60, although rarely children may be born with an inherited B-12 problem. After an operation to remove the stomach. Due to bacterial overgrowth in the gut in conditions such as diabetes, scleroderma, gut strictures or diverticula.