Attend your scheduled doctor's appointment. Request serum ferritin and iron studies to confirm iron deficiency. A peripheral blood smear and reticulocyte count may provide additional information. Your doctor should assess possible causes, particularly heavy menstrual bleeding, dietary iron deficiency, or gastrointestinal blood loss. If iron deficiency is confirmed, treatment usually involves oral iron supplements. IV iron may be considered if oral treatment is unsuitable or ineffective. Repeat haemoglobin testing after approximately 2–4 weeks of treatment to assess improvement.

Please do not panic about the RDW value. RDW of 23% is commonly seen in significant iron deficiency and is not dangerous by itself. Include iron-rich foods such as lentils, beans, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals, alongside vitamin C-containing foods to improve absorption. Seek medical attention if you experience breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, or rapid heartbeat with significant weakness. My recommendation: Your results strongly suggest iron-deficiency anaemia, but confirmation with ferritin and iron studies is important. A haemoglobin level of 8.4 requires timely treatment, although blood transfusion is not routinely necessary in otherwise stable individuals at this level. With appropriate treatment and identification of the underlying cause, haemoglobin levels generally improve progressively. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

At your visit, expect the doctor to ask about your periods and diet, and likely start iron supplements along with checking what's causing the iron loss. Carry this report with you.

If you feel very breathless, your heart races, or you feel faint before then, don't wait for the appointment, get seen sooner.