Do you feel constantly tired but dismiss it as stress? Skip meals thinking it won’t matter? Believe that beetroot and jaggery are enough to fix your fatigue? You might be unknowingly harming your health by believing common misconceptions about anaemia—one of India’s most misunderstood health conditions. According to recent health data, 57% of Indian women suffer from anaemia, yet many continue to rely on myths instead of medical facts. The consequences? Delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and serious complications that could affect your heart, brain, and overall quality of life. Let’s debunk eight common anemia myths that could be silently impacting your health.
The Reality: While iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, it’s far from the only one. Anemia can develop from deficiencies in vitamin B12, folic acid, or chronic conditions like kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammation. Even people eating adequate iron can develop Anemia if they have underlying health issues preventing iron absorption.
For example, gastrointestinal disorders, celiac disease, or certain medications can block iron absorption entirely—making diet alone insufficient. The key is identifying why Anemia develops in your specific case, not just assuming it’s about iron intake.
The Reality: While 57% of Indian women are anaemic, that doesn’t mean men are safe. Approximately 25% of men also suffer from anaemia, yet it often goes undiagnosed in men because of this very misconception. Men develop Anemia through chronic diseases, bleeding disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or occupational exposure.
The stereotype that Anemia is a “women’s issue” leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment in men, allowing the condition to progress silently and potentially cause serious complications.
The Reality: Fatigue is common but certainly not the only symptom. Anemia can manifest through a range of signs that people often miss or attribute to other causes:
Many young professionals dismiss poor focus or persistent headaches as work stress, unknowingly ignoring early signs of anemia. By the time they seek help, the condition has progressed significantly.
The Reality: The opposite is actually true. Research shows that treating iron deficiency anemia can improve metabolism and even support weight loss. A study of anaemic women found that those taking iron supplements showed significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and BMI compared to their pre-treatment condition.
Iron supplements don’t cause weight gain—untreated Anemia actually impairs your body’s ability to function optimally, including metabolic processes.
The Reality: While these foods contain some iron, they cannot cure anemia. In fact, a recent Gujarat Health Department report confirmed that moringa, beetroot, and jaggery alone won’t solve Anemia problems.
Here’s why: These foods contain non-haem iron (plant-based), which has much lower bioavailability than haem iron from meat. Additionally, plant foods often contain iron inhibitors (like tannins in tea) that prevent absorption. To actually cure moderate to severe anaemia, you need clinical intervention—iron supplements, B12 injections, folic acid, or in severe cases, blood transfusions. Diet supports recovery but cannot replace medical treatment.
The Reality: Anemia is a health concern across all life stages. While pregnancy creates increased demands for iron and folic acid, anemia in adolescence, adulthood, and post-menopausal years deserves equal attention.
Untreated Anemia at any stage can cause:
Early intervention at any age prevents these serious outcomes.
The Reality: The cause determines the treatment. Some anemia types require vitamin B12 injection (pernicious anemia), others need folic acid supplementation, and some require advanced therapies like IV iron infusion, blood transfusion, or treatment of underlying conditions.
Taking iron supplements for B12-deficiency anemia won’t help—it will only delay proper treatment. This is why accurate diagnosis is critical. A qualified hematologist uses specific blood tests (CBC, iron profile, B12 levels, reticulocyte count, and sometimes bone marrow evaluation) to identify the exact cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
The Reality: Anemia can recur, especially if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. A woman with heavy menstrual bleeding, a patient with chronic kidney disease, or someone with ongoing nutritional deficiencies may experience recurring anemia despite treatment. Long-term management often requires:
The myths surrounding Anemia exist because the condition is complex—it’s not simply “low iron” but a multifactorial health issue requiring clinical expertise. Self-diagnosis based on symptoms or internet research often leads to incorrect self-treatment, wasting time while your health deteriorates. Self-diagnosis based on symptoms or internet research often leads to incorrect self-treatment, wasting time while your health deteriorates.
Untreated or improperly treated Anemia can cause:
At Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, our team of expert hematologists specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of blood disorders, including anaemia. With advanced diagnostic facilities and evidence-based treatment protocols, we provide:
As the best hospital for blood disorders in Ahmedabad, Shalby Hospital brings together experienced hematologists who combine clinical expertise with compassionate patient care. Whether you’re experiencing your first symptoms or managing chronic anaemia, our specialists are equipped to provide the evidence-based treatment you deserve.
Don’t let anemia myths guide your health decisions. Contact Shalby Hospital today to schedule a consultation with one of our expert hematologists and take the first step toward better health—because your well-being matters.
.svg)
Do you feel constantly tired but dismiss it as stress? Skip meals thinking it won't matter? Believe that beetroot and jaggery are enough to fix your fatigue? You might be unknowingly harming your health by believing common misconceptions about anaemia—one of India's...
Lung cancer is one of the most serious health problems that many people face today. It can be caused by many things, and some of them are related to our lifestyle habits. But here’s the good news — by making some simple...
Cancer treatment can be a daunting journey for patients and their families. From diagnosis to recovery, every step of the process requires expert care, compassionate attention, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. When it comes to cancer surgery, one name that consistently stands out...
