Final answer:
Anemia is a disorder caused by deficiency of red blood cells. Blood markers indicating deficiency can include low levels of red blood cells, low hemoglobin levels, and abnormalities in red blood cell size.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anemia is a disorder in which the blood has an inadequate volume of red blood cells. This reduces the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry and may cause weakness and fatigue. Anemia can be caused by various factors, including iron, folate, or B12 deficiencies. Deficiency during pregnancy can lead to birth defects, such as neural tube defects and anemia.
Blood markers that would indicate deficiency could include low levels of red blood cells, low levels of hemoglobin, and abnormalities in the size of red blood cells. Clinicians often use tests such as mean corpuscle volume (MCV) and reticulocyte counts to evaluate the production, destruction, and removal of red blood cells and identify deficiencies.
Treatment for anemia caused by deficiencies may involve addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies through diet or supplementation. Severe cases of anemia may require blood transfusions to increase red blood cell levels and improve oxygen transport in the body.