Men likely to have hemoglobin in the Severe Anemia range: Study

SRL Diagnostics, a leading diagnostic chain in India, released a 4-year data analysis report (2013-16) based on samples received in its labs across the country for the indication of Anemia. Out of the 5.5 lakh samples tested in both genders, overall women showed 64.48 per cent of abnormal levels of hemoglobin in comparison to men (53.91 per cent), across the four zones of India.

The report concurs with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-(III) of India, which showed that more than half of women in India (55 per cent) have anemia, including 39 Per cent with mild anemia, 15 per cent with moderate anemia and 2 Per cent with severe anemia.

As per the SRL report, more women were found anemic than men, having their hemoglobin mainly in the ‘Mild Anemia’ category, while most of the men were in the ‘Moderate Anemia’ category. The analysis also revealed a surprising finding that the percentage of men in the ‘Severe Anemia’ category was more than that of women (13 Per cent vs 3 Per cent).

The East Zone of India had more number of Anemia cases in both the genders, when compared with data from the other three zones. West zone of the country had least number of cases, where hemoglobin levels were lower than normal. In the age-zone wise mapping, hemoglobin per cent levels droppedin all four zones as age progressed. In East Zone all forms of anemia that is mild, moderate and severe were more common than that of other 3 zones. Dr Deepa Dave, Director Operations SRL Labs says of SRL said “In India, Anemia is more commonly seen in women than in men.

There are around 400 types of anemia among which Iron Deficiency Anemia is the most common form in our country. It is necessary that anemia should be treated timely because it can not only cause non specific illnesses like easy fatigability, increased incidence of infections, headache, dizziness but also can become a cause of impaired fetal development during pregnancy, low birth weight baby and delayed cognitive development in children” She further added “Consumption of iron rich food is a must to ensure that adequate elemental iron is ingested through dietary sources. Also, there is need for getting regular and periodic laboratory tests done to check hemoglobin levels.”