Kabtafer Plus Medical Team · Last reviewed: 11 October 2026
Sources: WHO haemoglobin cut-off guideline (2024), WHO anaemia fact sheet (2025), StatPearls: Iron Deficiency Anemia, British Society of Gastroenterology guideline (2021), Kim & Tridane, PLoS ONE 2017 and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
The short answer
Anemia means your blood has less haemoglobin than normal, so it carries less oxygen around the body. The World Health Organization defines it in non-pregnant adult women as haemoglobin below 12.0 g/dL, and in adult men as below 13.0 g/dL. The most common cause worldwide is iron deficiency, but in the UAE and the wider Gulf, inherited thalassaemia trait is also common and can look similar on a basic blood test. Anemia is a sign, not a diagnosis: a doctor needs to find out which type you have and why.
Have your lab report? Use our free iron blood test checker →
Key points
- Anemia is defined by a low haemoglobin (Hb) level; WHO updated its cut-offs in March 2024.
- WHO estimates that 30% of women aged 15–49 worldwide had anemia in 2019; the modelled estimate for UAE women in 2023 is 28.2%.
- Iron deficiency is the most common cause. Heavy periods, pregnancy, gut conditions and low intake are typical drivers.
- Thalassaemia trait is common in the UAE and also causes small red blood cells, but it is not fixed by iron.
- Diagnosis needs a full blood count plus iron studies (especially ferritin), and sometimes haemoglobin electrophoresis.
- Breathlessness at rest, chest pain or black stools need urgent medical attention.
What is anemia?
Haemoglobin is the iron-containing protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to every tissue. When haemoglobin falls below the normal range for your age, sex and pregnancy status, you have anemia. Your body may compensate for a while, which is why mild anemia often goes unnoticed. Our page Your anemia blood test explained walks through each number on the report.
What haemoglobin level counts as anemia?
In March 2024 the WHO published updated haemoglobin cut-offs. The adult and pregnancy thresholds are below. Your lab report will use its own reference range, and your doctor will interpret your result in context.
| Group | Anemia if Hb is below |
|---|---|
| Non-pregnant women (15–65 years) | 12.0 g/dL |
| Men (15–65 years) | 13.0 g/dL |
| Pregnancy, 1st trimester | 11.0 g/dL |
| Pregnancy, 2nd trimester | 10.5 g/dL |
| Pregnancy, 3rd trimester | 11.0 g/dL |
How severe is it?
WHO also grades severity. For non-pregnant women, mild anemia is Hb 11.0–11.9 g/dL, moderate is 8.0–10.9 g/dL and severe is below 8.0 g/dL. For men, mild is 11.0–12.9 g/dL, with the same moderate and severe bands. In the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, mild is 10.0–10.9 g/dL, moderate 7.0–9.9 g/dL and severe below 7.0 g/dL. See anemia in pregnancy for more.
How common is anemia in the UAE and Gulf?
The WHO Global Health Observatory estimates that 28.2% of UAE women aged 15–49 had anemia in 2023, close to the global estimate of 30.7%. These are modelled estimates with wide uncertainty (for the UAE, 10.9–53.7%). Estimates for neighbouring countries range from 17.6% in Saudi Arabia to 38.4% in Bahrain. Our anemia in the UAE and GCC page covers local studies in more detail.
What are the main types of anemia?
Iron-deficiency anemia (most common)
When iron stores run out, the bone marrow cannot make enough haemoglobin, and red cells become small and pale. StatPearls lists four main routes: blood loss (heavy periods or bleeding in the gut), poor absorption (for example coeliac disease, H. pylori or bariatric surgery), increased need (pregnancy, adolescence) and low intake. Read our full guide to iron deficiency anemia.
Thalassaemia trait (common in the Gulf)
Thalassaemia trait is an inherited difference in haemoglobin production. A UAE study by Kim and Tridane (2017) estimated that 8.5% of the population carry beta-thalassaemia and 49% carry alpha-thalassaemia. Carriers often have small red cells and mildly low haemoglobin, which can be mistaken for iron deficiency. See thalassemia trait vs iron deficiency.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
These vitamins are needed to make red cells properly. When they are lacking, red cells tend to be larger than normal rather than smaller. Causes include low dietary intake, problems with absorption in the gut and certain medicines; your doctor can check levels with a simple blood test.
Anemia of inflammation (chronic disease)
Long-term conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease or chronic infections can reduce the body’s ability to use iron, even when stores are present. Inflammation also pushes ferritin up, which can hide true iron deficiency; for this reason the WHO ferritin guideline uses a higher threshold (below 70 µg/L in people aged 5 and over) when inflammation is present.
Other types
Less common causes include sickle cell disease, anemia from destruction of red cells (haemolysis), bone marrow disorders and anemia caused by medicines. These need specialist assessment.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
Symptoms depend on how low haemoglobin is and how quickly it fell. Common complaints are tiredness, low energy, shortness of breath on exertion, headaches, dizziness, pale skin, a fast heartbeat and feeling cold. Iron deficiency in particular can cause hair shedding, brittle nails, restless legs and cravings for ice. Women often put these down to busy lives, so read iron deficiency symptoms in women if this sounds familiar.
Who is most at risk?
- Women with heavy periods. The NIH ODS notes heavy menstrual bleeding accounts for about 33–41% of iron-deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age. See heavy periods and low ferritin.
- Pregnant women. WHO estimates 37% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic.
- Regular blood donors. 25–35% develop iron deficiency (NIH ODS).
- People after gastric bypass. Up to 30% are iron deficient 5 years after Roux-en-Y surgery (AAFP 2025).
- People with gut conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease — see iron deficiency in IBD.
- Long-term acid-reducer users. Proton pump inhibitors reduce absorption of plant iron — see PPIs and iron.
- Vegetarians. Iron bioavailability from vegetarian diets is about 5–12%, versus 14–18% from mixed diets (NIH ODS).
How is anemia diagnosed?
A full blood count (CBC) confirms anemia and shows red cell size (MCV). Iron studies, especially ferritin, show whether iron stores are low. The JAMA 2025 review uses ferritin below 30 ng/mL or transferrin saturation below 20% to indicate iron deficiency. If red cells are small but iron studies are normal, the BSG guideline recommends haemoglobin electrophoresis to look for thalassaemia.
Finding the cause is just as important as confirming anemia. Men and post-menopausal women with iron-deficiency anemia need investigation of the gut, according to the BSG. In the UAE, tests are available through DHA, DoH and MOHAP facilities as well as private labs.
When should you see a doctor?
Book an appointment if you have ongoing tiredness, breathlessness on stairs, heavy periods or any of the symptoms above. Seek urgent care for:
- breathlessness at rest or fainting
- chest pain or a racing, irregular heartbeat
- black, tarry stools or blood in stools or vomit
- very heavy bleeding, or unexplained weight loss
- symptoms of anemia during pregnancy
Do not start iron tablets on your own “just in case”. If you are a thalassaemia carrier with normal iron, extra iron will not correct the anemia (StatPearls) — your doctor will advise what you need.
Our anemia guides
- Iron deficiency anemia — causes, diagnosis and how doctors treat it.
- Anemia blood test explained — Hb, ferritin, MCV and other results in plain language.
- Thalassemia trait vs iron deficiency — how to tell them apart.
- Anemia in the UAE and GCC — local figures and screening.
- Anemia in pregnancy — thresholds and care by trimester.
- Iron deficiency symptoms in women — signs that are often missed.
- Heavy periods and low ferritin — the most common driver in young women.
- Postpartum iron recovery — rebuilding stores after birth.
- Iron absorption guide — how the body takes up iron from food.
- Foods high in iron in the UAE — practical local food choices.
- Coffee, tea and iron — timing your karak and coffee.
- Vitamin C and iron — pairing foods for better uptake.
- When to take an iron supplement and how long it takes to work.
- PPIs and iron absorption and iron deficiency in IBD.
- Research library — the studies behind our articles.
Where Kabtafer Plus fits
Kabtafer Plus is an iron-free food supplement that supports absorption of iron from food. It is not a treatment for anemia and does not replace iron tablets or IV iron prescribed by your doctor. Anemia always needs a diagnosis and a search for its cause first. It is intended for people with confirmed low iron, not for thalassaemia carriers without iron deficiency or anyone with iron overload. You can read the published studies or see where to buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is anemia the same as iron deficiency?
No. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, but you can be iron deficient without being anemic, and you can be anemic for other reasons such as thalassaemia trait or B12 deficiency.
What haemoglobin level is anemia for a woman?
For non-pregnant women aged 15–65, WHO defines anemia as haemoglobin below 12.0 g/dL. In pregnancy the threshold is 11.0 g/dL in the first and third trimesters and 10.5 g/dL in the second.
Can anemia be caused by my genes?
Yes. Thalassaemia trait is inherited and is common in the UAE. UAE premarital screening checks for it; a haemoglobin electrophoresis test confirms it.
Should I take iron if I feel tired?
Only after a blood test. Tiredness has many causes, and taking iron when you do not need it can delay finding the real problem.
Which blood tests should I ask for?
A full blood count and ferritin are the usual starting point. Your doctor may add transferrin saturation, B12, folate or haemoglobin electrophoresis depending on the results.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs to define anaemia in individuals and populations. 2024. who.int
- World Health Organization. Anaemia (fact sheet). 10 February 2025. who.int
- World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory. Prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age (15–49), 2023 modelled estimates. WHO GHO
- World Health Organization. WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. 2020. NCBI Bookshelf
- StatPearls. Iron Deficiency Anemia. StatPearls Publishing. NCBI Bookshelf
- Kim S, Tridane A. Thalassemia in the United Arab Emirates. PLoS ONE 2017;12(1):e0170485. PMC5279727
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- Latimer K, et al. Iron deficiency anemia. Am Fam Physician 2025;112(5):538–545. aafp.org
- Auerbach M, DeLoughery TG, Tirnauer JS. Iron deficiency in adults: a review. JAMA 2025;333(20):1813–1823. PMID 40159291
- Snook J, et al. British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of iron deficiency anaemia in adults. Gut 2021;70:2030–2051. gut.bmj.com
This article is for general education and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.