Anemia of chronic disease

Having anemia means you don't have enough red blood cells. Your body needs these cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Sometimes a long-term disease keeps your body from making enough red blood cells. This is called anemia of chronic disease, or ACD.

You may find that anemia of chronic disease causes mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, you may feel dizzy, tired, and weak. You may also feel your heart pounding or feel short of breath. It may be hard to focus and think clearly.

A blood test, sometimes done as part of a routine exam, tells your doctor if you have anemia. Your doctor may then do other tests to look for a cause.

Your doctor may diagnose you with anemia of chronic disease if:

• You have a chronic disease or health problem that's known to cause anemia.
• Your symptoms and test results don't point to other types of anemia, such as pernicious anemia, hemolytic anemia, or iron deficiency anemia.

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is most often treated by treating the health problem that caused it. For example, treating rheumatoid arthritis can lower inflammation, which can then improve ACD.

For ACD caused by cancer or chronic kidney disease, medicine can help the body make more red blood cells. These medicines are called erythropoietin stimulating agents, or ESAs.

Severe anemia is treated with a blood transfusion of red blood cells, no matter what the cause is.

Only take iron if your doctor tells you to. Unless you also have iron deficiency anemia, taking iron does not help with ACD. If your iron level is normal, taking extra iron can be dangerous.

• Follow your doctor's instructions to treat the chronic condition that's causing the anemia.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicine to treat your chronic condition exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Take your medicine for anemia exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Medicines to increase the number of red blood cells (such as epoetin or darbepoetin) may be given as an injection.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, get back on your regular schedule and take only one dose.
  • Do not freeze this medicine. Store it in the refrigerator. Do not shake the bottle before you prepare the shot.
• Go to all of your appointments for blood tests to check on your hemoglobin levels.