Anemia Checker Tool (WHO 2025): Ultimate, Fast & Free

Meet the Anemia Checker Tool: a lightning-fast, browser-based calculator that interprets your hemoglobin (Hb) value against the latest WHO hemoglobin cutoffs with smart adjustments for altitude and smoking. It’s designed for simple, private self-checks and clear next steps—without tracking or slow page loads. This page explains exactly how the tool works, what your result means, and what to do next.

Anemia Checker (WHO 2025)

Enter your details to see whether your hemoglobin is within the recommended range. The tool adjusts for altitude and smoking where applicable.

Age (years)

For infants, enter e.g. 1.5 for 18 months (1.5 years).

Sex

Pregnancy is considered for females ≥15y.

Pregnancy

Trimester thresholds follow WHO 2024 guidance.

Hemoglobin (g/dL)

Altitude (meters) — optional

Adjustment usually applies from ≥500 m.

Cigarettes/day — optional

MCV (fL) — optional

Helps classify micro/normo/macrocytic.

Ferritin (μg/L) — optional

Educational use only — not a diagnosis.

Tip: You can press Enter inside a field to run the check.

Important: The Anemia Checker Tool is educational, not a medical diagnosis. Always consult a clinician for personal medical advice, especially for pregnancy, children, or ongoing symptoms.

How the Anemia Checker Tool works (in plain English)

You enter:
- Age & sex (and if applicable, pregnancy + trimester)
- Your measured hemoglobin (g/dL)
- Optional context: altitude (meters above sea level), cigarettes/day, and lab hints (MCV, ferritin)
We compute adjusted Hb before interpretation. Why? Because oxygen availability and smoke exposure change expected Hb levels. So the tool subtracts small, evidence-based adjustments for:
- Altitude (adjustments usually start from ~500 m)
- Smoking (cigarettes/day)
  These follow current WHO-aligned guidance and contemporary research showing that Hb should be adjusted for both factors and that the two adjustments are additive. World Health Organization ResearchGate
We compare to WHO cutoffs for your group:
- Adults (men/women), pregnancy (with trimester-specific thresholds), and children by age bands, using the 2024 WHO guideline which updated select groups (notably children 6–23 months and reaffirmed the second-trimester threshold 10.5 g/dL). World Health Organization Guideline Central CDC
We label severity (No anemia / Mild / Moderate / Severe) and show helpful tips drawn from your optional MCV and ferritin inputs.
- MCV helps classify likely type (microcytic <80 fL, normocytic 80–100 fL, macrocytic >100 fL). NCBI
- Ferritin is a key iron-store marker. WHO’s ferritin guidance underpins how clinicians interpret low levels for iron deficiency (clinical context matters). World Health Organization

Why trust this Anemia Checker Tool?

Up-to-date thresholds (WHO 2024): incorporates the latest global guidance and the updated child & pregnancy trimester considerations for defining anemia. World Health Organization
Real-world adjustments: applies altitude and smoking corrections so your result isn’t under- or over-called simply because you live at elevation or smoke—an evidence-based best practice. ResearchGate
Instant, privacy-first: runs in your browser; no sign-in, no tracking, no waiting.
Clear, actionable language: translates lab jargon into practical “what to do next.”
Connected resources: links to complementary tools so you can explore potential causes and track related health data.

What your Anemia Checker Tool result means

No anemia

Your adjusted Hb is at or above the WHO cutoff for your group. Maintain healthy habits, balanced nutrition (iron, folate, B12), and routine checkups. If you have symptoms (fatigue, breathlessness, paleness), talk to a clinician even if your Hb is normal.

Anemia — Mild

Your adjusted Hb is slightly below the cutoff. Many mild cases relate to early iron deficiency, mild inflammation, or recent blood loss. Consider discussing simple tests (CBC with indices, ferritin, iron studies) and diet/lifestyle with your clinician.

Anemia — Moderate

You’re further below the cutoff. Seek timely evaluation. Clinicians often check ferritin/iron studies, B12/folate, renal function, thyroid tests, and sometimes reticulocyte count to determine cause and urgency.

Anemia — Severe

This level requires prompt medical attention, especially if you feel dizzy, faint, short of breath at rest, have chest pain, or if this is new and unexplained.

Children & pregnancy: WHO 2024 emphasizes nuanced thresholds, particularly for 6–23 months and trimester-specific pregnancy; our tool uses these to avoid misclassification. World Health Organization

Understanding the numbers: cutoffs & adjustments

Adults: Common clinical references define anemia below 13.0 g/dL (men) and 12.0 g/dL (non-pregnant women). Pregnancy uses 11.0 / 10.5 / 11.0 g/dL for 1st/2nd/3rd trimesters respectively; the tool applies these trimester-specific cutoffs. CDC
Children: WHO 2024 updated the 6–23 months band. Using correct pediatric thresholds is crucial for early recognition and prevention. World Health Organization
Altitude & smoking: Even a few hundred meters above sea level can shift hemoglobin physiology; smoking also pushes Hb upward. Ignoring these can mask anemia or create false alarms, which is why the tool applies both corrections before interpretation. PMC ResearchGate

Likely types of anemia (guided by MCV)

The Anemia Checker Tool lets you optionally add MCV (mean corpuscular volume). While MCV alone does not diagnose, it helps sort likely causes:

Microcytic (MCV < 80 fL): often iron deficiency, thalassemia trait, or anemia of chronic disease/inflammation.
Normocytic (MCV 80–100 fL): can reflect chronic disease, kidney disease (low EPO), acute blood loss, or early/mixed processes.
Macrocytic (MCV > 100 fL): often vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, liver disease, hypothyroidism, medication effects, or bone marrow disorders. NCBI

Tip: If your MCV and ferritin suggest iron deficiency, discuss diet (heme/non-heme iron, vitamin C) and iron therapy with your clinician. If macrocytic, ask about B12/folate testing.

Ferritin and iron deficiency: why it matters

Ferritin reflects iron stores. Low ferritin strongly suggests iron deficiency, the most common global cause of anemia; however, ferritin is an acute-phase reactant and can rise in inflammation or infection. WHO’s ferritin guidance is used worldwide to support clinical interpretation, but clinicians also consider CRP/ESR and the clinical picture. Our tool labels ferritin hints conservatively for safety. World Health Organization

When to seek care urgently

Chest pain, shortness of breath at rest, fainting
Marked fatigue interfering with daily activities
Pregnancy with moderate–severe anemia
Child with persistent anemia or developmental concerns
Known chronic disease (kidney, heart, cancer) plus anemia
These red flags warrant medical evaluation as soon as possible.

How to get the best result from the Anemia Checker Tool

Use a lab Hb value (g/dL) from a recent complete blood count (CBC) rather than a guess.
Add your altitude (approximate meters above sea level). If you’re unsure, a quick map search can help.
Enter cigarettes/day if you smoke; if you vape only, skip this field (the evidence base for Hb shifts differs).
Include MCV and ferritin if you have them—they help refine next steps.
Repeat if circumstances change (e.g., you stop smoking or move to sea level).

What might be causing anemia?

Common pathways include:

Insufficient production (iron, B12, folate deficiency; chronic kidney disease; marrow disorders)
Loss (overt or occult bleeding—GI, menstrual; surgery; trauma)
Destruction (hemolysis—autoimmune, hereditary)
Dilutional (pregnancy, fluid shifts)

Your clinician may check: CBC with indices, reticulocyte count, ferritin and iron studies, B12/folate, TSH, renal & liver panels, and sometimes hemoglobin electrophoresis or bone marrow studies based on history and exam.

Helpful companion tools on My Medicine Advisor

Use these to explore patterns and support healthier habits:

Track blood pressure trends: Blood Pressure Tracker (helps assess dizziness or fatigue patterns).
Explore symptoms: Symptom Checker (context for fatigue, pallor, breathlessness).
Review medication timing/doses: Medicine Dosage Calculator.
Screen nutrition-related patterns: Vitamin Deficiency Calculator.
Pregnancy-specific planning: Pregnancy Due Date Calculator.
Infection/fever context: Fever Tracker & Temperature Log.
Chronic disease risk context: Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool, Kidney Health Checker.
Women’s health timing: Ovulation Calendar & Fertility Tracker.

(Insert your internal links to these tool pages exactly where you want users to navigate next.)

Evidence and transparency

This Anemia Checker Tool follows the 2024 WHO guideline on Hb cutoffs and measurement, including updated recommendations for specific groups (e.g., children 6–23 months, pregnancy). World Health Organization
Trimester-specific pregnancy cutoffs (11.0 / 10.5 / 11.0 g/dL) are widely referenced in U.S. public health literature and align with altitude-corrected interpretations. CDC
MCV bands (microcytic <80, normocytic 80–100, macrocytic >100 fL) reflect standard hematology teaching and clinical texts. NCBI
Ferritin guidance from WHO (2020) underlines how iron deficiency is assessed at population and clinical levels; clinical context is always required. World Health Organization
Altitude & smoking corrections are applied together (additive), consistent with contemporary analyses and guidance—critical to avoid misclassification. ResearchGate

FAQs (Anemia Checker Tool)

Is the Anemia Checker Tool a medical diagnosis?

No. It’s an educational tool aligned with WHO thresholds and common clinical references. It helps you understand if your Hb is below the expected cutoff for your group, but only a clinician can diagnose and treat anemia appropriately. World Health Organization

Why adjust for altitude and smoking?

At higher altitudes, oxygen is lower and bodies naturally increase Hb; smoking also elevates Hb. If we don’t correct for these, you might be misclassified. That’s why the tool adjusts for both and treats them as additive effects before comparing to WHO cutoffs. PMC ResearchGate

Which groups got updated in WHO 2024?

The 2024 guideline refined approach and highlighted changes notably for children 6–23 months, reaffirmed pregnancy (including second-trimester 10.5 g/dL), and clarified best measurement practices. World Health Organization CDC

What do MCV and ferritin add to the Anemia Checker Tool?

MCV suggests whether anemia is micro-, normo-, or macrocytic; ferritin helps detect iron deficiency when interpreted in context. These inputs don’t replace clinical judgment—they simply make your self-review more informed. NCBI World Health Organization

Are there different cutoffs in pregnancy?

Yes. Commonly used thresholds are 11.0 g/dL (1st), 10.5 g/dL (2nd), and 11.0 g/dL (3rd trimester) after altitude correction; our tool uses these to avoid under-recognizing anemia. CDC

Does ethnicity or region change the cutoffs?

WHO emphasizes using standardized Hb cutoffs and appropriate measurement practices. Local clinical policies may vary, but our tool follows the global guideline to remain consistent and transparent. World Health Organization

My Hb is normal but I feel unwell—what should I do?

Normal Hb is reassuring, but symptoms still matter. Consider other causes (thyroid, infection, cardiac/respiratory issues, sleep, nutrition) and speak with a clinician.

Can diet fix anemia?

Sometimes—especially iron deficiency or B12/folate deficiency—but only after confirming the type and cause. Self-supplementation can mask problems or cause side effects; a clinician’s guidance is best.

How often should I recheck?

Follow your clinician’s advice. Many people recheck after nutrition changes or treatment (e.g., 6–12 weeks for iron therapy follow-up).

Is the Anemia Checker Tool safe for kids?

Yes—as an educational tool. It uses child-specific cutoffs (including the updated 6–23 months band) but is not a substitute for pediatric care. World Health Organization

What to do next (action checklist)

Save/print your result to discuss with your clinician.
If “anemia” appears: ask about CBC with indices, reticulocyte count, ferritin/iron, B12/folate, TSH, renal function, and stool/menstrual loss history.
Explore companion tools here to see broader patterns (e.g., symptoms, blood pressure, temperature, nutrition).
Re-run the Anemia Checker Tool if your context changes (altitude, smoking, pregnancy trimester, treatment).

Gentle reminder on safety

The Anemia Checker Tool follows widely accepted cutoffs and adjustments from modern guidance (WHO/CDC/StatPearls), but individual medical care varies. Share your results with a professional who knows your history and can tailor evaluation and treatment. World Health Organization CDC NCBI

References

World Health Organization. Guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs to define anaemia in individuals and populations (2024). (Overview & PDF). World Health Organization Iris
CDC MMWR. Anemia among pregnant women… trimester-specific definitions and altitude correction context. CDC
StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). Anemia; Mean Corpuscular Volume — MCV bands & etiologies. NCBI
WHO (2020). Guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status. World Health Organization
Sharma AJ, et al. Reexamination of hemoglobin adjustments (altitude & smoking; additive nature). PMC