<human>: i have had yearly blood tests over the last few years, i am 45 years old, 1.90m and 83kg. the last 2 tests revealed a slight drop in hemaglobin levels from 13.0 to 12.0, iron levels are within the norm. there is a history of cancer on the female side of my family and heart disease on the male side. i myself suffer from periodic insomnia. what could be the cause of this drop?
<bot>: Hi, Hemoglobin will vary with age and sex. The nutrition will play the biggest role. The common nutrients involved are it B 12, folic acid and iron. If your iron is normal, other nutrients might be low. You can get a B12 assay or folic acid assay done. You can get red cell indices to identify the type of anemia. 12g% is still normal. If you can specify the type of cancer, I can help you with identifying symptoms and investigations necessary. Any further queries, happy to help again.