Are you feeling tired all the time? Breathless after mild activity? Struggling to concentrate or stay warm? These may all be signs of anaemia – a common condition where your blood can’t carry enough oxygen around your body. While anaemia can have many causes, it’s sometimes linked to bowel conditions, especially if you have low iron levels or hidden blood loss. At The Midlands Bowel Clinic, we investigate the digestive causes of anaemia and help you get your energy back.

What is anaemia?

Anaemia happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells, or they don’t contain enough haemoglobin – the protein that carries oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t function properly, and you may feel run-down, weak or short of breath.

One of the most common types is iron deficiency anaemia, which may occur if you’re not getting enough iron from your diet, not absorbing it properly, or losing blood without realising it – including from the bowel.

Common symptoms of anaemia

You might have anaemia if you’ve noticed:

• Persistent tiredness or fatigue
• Pale skin or inside of eyelids
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Shortness of breath, even with gentle activity
• Headaches
• Cold hands and feet
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Heart palpitations
• Brittle nails or hair thinning

Some people don’t have obvious symptoms, and anaemia is only picked up on a routine blood test.

How is anaemia linked to bowel problems?

Several bowel conditions can lead to anaemia, especially iron deficiency anaemia. Causes include:

• Chronic blood loss in the bowel – even if it’s not visible in your stool
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, where inflammation affects iron absorption
• Bowel cancer or polyps – which can cause slow, persistent bleeding
• Coeliac disease – where damage to the small bowel lining reduces nutrient absorption, including iron, B12 and folate
• Diverticular disease – pockets in the bowel wall that may bleed
• Malabsorption syndromes – which prevent proper uptake of nutrients
• Parasites or infections – in rare cases, causing nutrient loss or blood loss

Iron deficiency can develop slowly over time, making it easy to miss the signs until symptoms become more obvious.

When should I see a specialist?

You should seek advice from a bowel specialist if you:

• Have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia and the cause is unclear
• Feel persistently tired, dizzy or breathless
• Have noticed blood in your stool, or black/tarry stools
• Have a change in your bowel habit (e.g. diarrhoea or constipation)
• Have unexplained weight loss, bloating, or abdominal pain
• Have a family history of bowel cancer, IBD or coeliac disease

Unexplained anaemia may be the first warning sign of a bowel condition, so it’s important not to delay assessment.

How we investigate anaemia

At The Midlands Bowel Clinic, we start with a full consultation and history, followed by targeted tests to find the cause of your anaemia. These may include:

• Blood tests – to check your iron levels, haemoglobin, vitamin B12 and folate
• Stool tests – to check for hidden (occult) blood or signs of inflammation
• Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy – to examine the bowel lining for bleeding, polyps or inflammation
• Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) – if bleeding from the upper digestive tract is suspected
• Coeliac screening – a blood test to check for gluten sensitivity
• Imaging – such as CT or MRI scans if further evaluation is needed

We aim to get you answers quickly and clearly, in a comfortable, supportive setting.

Treatment options

Treatment will depend on what’s causing your anaemia. Options may include:

• Iron supplements or intravenous iron therapy
• Dietary advice and nutritional support
• Treatment of inflammatory conditions like IBD or coeliac disease
• Removal of polyps or management of bleeding
• Referral for cancer treatment if bowel cancer is detected

We focus on restoring your energy levels and addressing the root cause of your symptoms.

Why choose The Midlands Bowel Clinic?

Our team of specialist consultants are experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of digestive symptoms, including anaemia. We offer fast access to investigations, evidence-based treatments, and supportive, personalised care.

Contact us

If you’ve been diagnosed with anaemia or are experiencing unexplained fatigue or breathlessness, it’s time to get checked. Contact The Midlands Bowel Clinic today to book a consultation and find out whether your bowel health could be the cause.