sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Anemia of chronic disease: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, fainting, confusion, or other sudden and severe symptoms.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a healthcare professional sooner if there is new bleeding, black or bloody stool, unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, unexplained bruising, fever, weight loss, or a major change in health.

    Seek urgent care for significant shortness of breath, a very fast heartbeat, worsening weakness, or near-fainting.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up usually includes repeat blood counts and review of the underlying condition.

    The timing depends on the severity of anemia, symptoms, treatment changes, and whether hemoglobin is stable.

    Arrange routine follow-up if fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, dizziness, or other possible anemia symptoms are persistent or worsening.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a symptom that has lasted more than a couple of weeks without improving

The article also says

Clinicians may repeat iron studies or other tests if anemia worsens or does not improve as expected.

People receiving iron, an ESA, chemotherapy, dialysis, or treatment for active inflammatory disease may need more structured monitoring.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Anemia of chronic disease. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.