Heart failure: Hormone that regulates red blood cell production Heart failure: Condition that causes weakening of the heart muscle which impairs its ability to pump enough blood to the body. This can cause fluid retention (swelling of the feet, fluid in lungs, shortness of breath, and other symptoms)
Hematocrit: Percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample
Hemoglobin: Protein carried by red blood cells that transports and delivers oxygen throughout your body
Left ventricular hypertrophy: Enlargement of the left-lower chamber of the heart
Stroke: Sudden disruption of blood flow in the brain
Vitamin deficiency: Shortage or low levels of vitamins
What is anemia?
Anemia is a below-normal level of hemoglobin* or hematocrit*.
Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen
to all parts of your body. Anemia can be temporary or it can be a
long-term disease/illness. People with mild anemia may not have
any symptoms or may have only mild symptoms. People with
severe anemia can feel tired, get short of breath with activity, and
have problems doing the things they usually do.1
How common is anemia in people with kidney disease?
The chance of developing anemia increases as kidney disease gets worse. A study has shown anemia affected 28% of people with mild kidney disease and 87% of people with severe kidney disease.2,3
What causes anemia in people with kidney disease?
Damaged kidneys may not produce enough erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that regulates red blood cell production. Less EPO in turn means fewer red blood cells and their protein hemoglobin to deliver oxygen to your body’s organs. If there are not enough red blood cells, your body does not get the right amount of oxygen, resulting in anemia.
What are the effects of untreated anemia in kidney disease?
People who have both kidney disease and anemia have an increased risk of death, stroke, or heart failure.4,5 The chance of early death is even higher for anemia sufferers who, in addition to kidney disease, have heart failure and/or diabetes.6 Lack of oxygen makes a heart work harder, so the muscles in its left-lower chamber may get too thick. This condition is called left ventricular hypertrophy, and can even occur in people with early kidney disease, and increases the risk of people having a heart attack or dying.7-9 While managing anemia may be life saving in some circumstances, treatment has not proven to guarantee a longer lifespan.
How do I know if I have anemia?
The best way to determine if you have anemia is to discuss your blood counts and changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit with your doctor. Symptoms usually develop when anemia is moderate to severe, and can include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, dizziness, irritability, numbness or coldness in your hands and feet, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, and headache. In people with chronic kidney disease, anemia can occur in the very earliest stages of the disease, and it becomes more severe as the disease progresses.2 It is important to see your doctor on a regular basis in order to be tested for possible anemia.
What treatments are available to help me?
Since anemia in kidney disease is usually caused by erythropoietin deficiency, improvement of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are often achieved with drugs that stimulate red blood cell production. Noteworthy though are recent studies which suggest that it is best not to try to correct the anemia to normal levels.10 If your body does not store enough iron, your doctor will add iron supplementation to your treatment plan and correct vitamin deficiencies (low levels of vitamins). Close communication with your doctor will help him or her provide the treatment that is best for you based on what is causing the anemia.
*Normal Lab Values: Normal hemoglobin >= 12 g/dL for women, >= 14 g/dL for men; normal hematocrit >= 36% for women, >= 42% for men.
References
- National Anemia Action Council. Anemia: A Hidden Epidemic. Los Angeles, CA: HealthVizion Communications, Inc; 2002.
- Kausz AT, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2001;12:1501-1507.
- Kausz AT, et al. Dis Manage Health Outcomes. 2002;10:505-513.
- Foley RN, et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 1996;28:53-61.
- Abramson JL, et al. Kidney Int. 2003;64:610-615.
- Collins A, et al. Adv Stud Med. 2003;3(3C);S14-S17.
- Levin A, et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 1999;34:125-134.
- Casale PN, et al. Ann Intern Med. 1986;105:173-178.
- Silberberg JS, et al. Kidney Int. 1989;36:286-290.
- Singh A, et al. New Eng J Med. 2006;355:2085-2098.
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