Can a blood routine test during menstruation create the illusion of anemia

A blood routine test during menstruation may result in the appearance of anemia. During menstruation, blood loss may temporarily decrease hemoglobin and red blood cell counts, but if not accompanied by other anemia symptoms, it is usually a physiological fluctuation. If the examination results are abnormal and persist, further investigation of pathological anemia is required. Healthy women may lose a certain amount of blood during menstruation due to endometrial shedding. Hemoglobin and hematocrit in blood routine may decrease compared to normal, but the magnitude is usually small and can recover on their own in the short term. This change is related to menstrual flow and individual differences, and most people will not meet the clinical anemia criteria. Avoiding vigorous exercise and ensuring sufficient water intake before examination can reduce errors. If the blood routine shows hemoglobin levels below 110g/L or accompanied by anemia symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, pathological factors such as iron deficiency anemia should be considered. When there is excessive menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual period, or gynecological diseases such as uterine fibroids, the amount of blood loss may significantly increase, leading to true anemia. At this time, it is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment by combining serum iron, ferritin and other tests, and if necessary, gynecological examination should be conducted to clarify the cause.

It is recommended to avoid the peak period of menstrual flow for blood routine examination. Those suspected of anemia can have a follow-up examination 3-5 days after the end of menstruation. Daily attention should be paid to supplementing foods rich in iron and vitamin C, such as lean meat, animal liver, and oranges, to avoid strong tea affecting iron absorption. Long term menstrual abnormalities or worsening anemia symptoms should be promptly treated with medical attention.