Which of the following is a common symptom of anemia?

• A. Elevated blood sugar
• B. Hair loss
• C. Pale skin and fatigue
• D. Jaundice

Answer: (C)

Anemia lowers the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, so tissues don’t get enough oxygen. The most common signs reflect that reduced delivery: pale skin due to less visible hemoglobin in the skin, and fatigue because muscles and other tissues lack the oxygen they need to function well. This combination—pallor and tiredness—is frequently seen across many types of anemia, from iron deficiency to vitamin deficiencies or chronic disease.

Elevated blood sugar isn’t a typical feature of anemia, since it relates to glucose metabolism rather than oxygen transport. Jaundice can occur in certain anemias with rapid red blood cell breakdown, but it isn’t the usual presentation for most anemias. Hair loss may occur with some nutrient deficiencies, but it’s not as common or as general a symptom as pallor and fatigue.