Simple explanation on anemia and low hgb

[Matt8700, RN, EMT-B]

Hello,

I have been researching this topic to death and still feel like I may not have the facts straight.

Can someone explain the relationship between iron levels and hgb levels? For instance, if you say a patient is anemic, does that refer specifically to the hgb value? And if it's the iron that's low is that when you refer to it as iron deficiency anemia? And if the RBCs are low (but not due to blood loss) is that still considered just anemia, or is that a different condition altogether?

I know that the iron is what binds to the oxyegn in the hemoglobin and how the oxygen is transported. I guess I am just a little confused over the disorders.

Thanks in advance!