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, but it needs to be comprehensively judged based on specific indicators. Menstrual blood loss may temporarily decrease hemoglobin and red blood cell counts, but usually does not affect parameters such as average red blood cell volume. During menstruation, endometrial shedding is accompanied by bleeding, and in some women, excessive blood loss can cause a blood dilution effect, resulting in hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count detection values lower than actual levels. This physiological fluctuation is mostly transient and can recover on its own 1-2 weeks after the end of menstruation. But if the test shows abnormalities such as decreased average red blood cell volume and decreased serum ferritin, it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of true iron deficiency anemia. Clinical advice is to pay attention to changes in the width of red blood cell distribution, which usually remains stable during physiological bleeding. For those with long-term excessive menstrual flow or irregular cycles, repeated bleeding may develop into iron deficiency anemia. If the blood routine shows small cell hypochromic anemia with decreased transferrin saturation, or if there are persistent abnormalities after the end of menstruation, pathological anemia should be considered. It is recommended to improve iron metabolism examination in such cases to rule out chronic hemorrhagic diseases. When conducting a blood routine examination during menstruation, it is recommended to explain the menstrual condition to the doctor. If anemia needs to be diagnosed, a follow-up examination can be conducted one week after the end of menstruation, and combined with serum iron, ferritin, and other tests. Daily attention should be paid to supplementing foods rich in iron, such as animal liver and red meat. Vitamin C can help promote iron absorption, but strong tea and coffee can affect iron absorption and should be avoided when taken together.