Red blood cells in the body are crucial since they carry oxygen throughout the body. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule, the iron-containing compound in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Having anemia means having insufficient red blood cells, thereby, low hemoglobin level that deprives body tissues and organs of sufficient oxygen. Fatigue and pain are the most common symptoms of anemia.

Different types of anemia vary in severity and can be short-term or long-term. Ranging from common symptoms, it can be a warning sign of severe illness or other health complications. While some types of anemia are common, there are others that are rare and more complex.

Here are the various types of anemia that occur due to deficiency of certain compounds and other factors:

Aplastic or hypoplastic anemia
Stem cells in the bone marrow create blood cells. In this case, the stem cells are damaged that cannot create sufficient new blood cells. While it can be inherited, some acquire it during the later stages in life, and this condition is temporary. Infections like hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV cause this blood disorder. It can also happen due to radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Sideroblastic Anemia
This happens when iron in the body cannot make enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen. Iron buildup usually leads to the formation of abnormal red blood cells known as sideroblasts. Under this type of anemia, there are two different types of anemia:

Acquired sideroblastic anemia can be caused due to the exposure to certain substances and chemicals.

Hereditary sideroblastic anemia occurs following the gene mutation that disturbs hemoglobin production. Common treatments include Vitamin B6 therapy, bone marrow transplant, or stem cell transplant

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
This is a rare condition when the immune system destroys red blood cells rapidly as compared to making new ones. Those suffering from lupus or those taking medications like methyldopa, penicillin, and quinine can develop this blood deficiency.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA)
It’s an inherited condition that destroys healthy red blood cells. In fact, all CDAs are passed down through generations, and are not acquired. While treatment is not required in most cases, doctors recommend blood transfusion or stem cell transplants depending on the severity.

Megaloblastic Anemia
The bone marrow produces abnormal red blood cells that are either too large or too young. Since they are not mature enough or not that healthy, they cannot carry oxygen throughout the body. It’s generally caused by Vitamin B12 or Vitamin B9 deficiency.

Pernicious anemia
A common condition among the different types of anemia, this condition is due to the body’s inability to create sufficient red blood cells. This happens due to its inability to absorb enough Vitamin B12 from food to produce these cells.

Hemolytic anemia
There are conditions when red blood cells are destroyed before their lifespan. When a person’s body cannot make new ones to replace these destroyed cells, it leads to hemolytic anemia. This can occur when the body receives signals to destroy healthy cells. In case of inheritance, the issue is with the genes that regulate red blood cells.