Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?CausesRisk FactorsOther CausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentCompared to Iron Deficiency AnemiaComplicationsPrognosisDietary ChangesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Causes
Risk Factors
Other Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Compared to Iron Deficiency Anemia
Complications
Prognosis
Dietary Changes
When to See a Provider
Inflammation causes changes in how the body uses iron, which is needed for the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells. The condition results from other long-term health conditions that affect your ability to create red blood cells. It is also known as chronic anemia or anemia of inflammation. About 1 million Americans over age 65 have anemia of inflammation.
This article will define anemia of chronic disease, including what it is, what type of anemia it is, and common causes, symptoms, features, levels, and characteristics.
It will discuss the testing and lab values required for a diagnosis of chronic anemia and what happens as the disease progresses, as well as the difference between iron-deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease.
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What Is Anemia of Chronic Disease?
Anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells with enough protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin requires iron to bring oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissues throughout the body.
If the body has too few red blood cells, if these cells are not fully formed and healthy, or if they don’t have enough hemoglobin or iron, they won’t be able to transport enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the body parts can’t function correctly. This is called anemia.
There are manydifferent types of anemia. Anemia of chronic disease is one of the more common types. The most common type of anemia isiron-deficiency anemia, but this has different characteristics, causes, and treatments from anemia of chronic disease.
People with anemia of chronic disease may have normal or even high levels of iron in the body’s tissues. But they have low iron in the blood and not enough healthy red blood cells.
Underlying Conditions That Cause Chronic Anemia
Several long-term conditions can cause anemia of chronic disease. For instance, anemia of chronic disease can develop in people with cancers, especially blood cancers likelymphoma, includingHodgkin’s disease.
Anemia of chronic disease is also common in people with varying types ofautoimmune conditions. These can include:
People with chronic infections can develop anemia of inflammation. These include:
People withchronic kidney disease,diabetes, andheart failureare also at a high risk of developing anemia of inflammation.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: Everything You Need to Know
Risk Factors for Anemia of Chronic Disease
The biggest risk factor for developing anemia of chronic disease is having a long-term illness that causes inflammation. It is more likely to develop as a person ages since older people are more likely to have a chronic disease.
When dealing with chronically high levels of inflammation, your body changes in ways that may lead to anemia. These include:
Other Causes of Chronic Anemia
For example, in chronic kidney disease, EPO levels may be low not only because of inflammation but because the kidneys struggle to produce enough of the hormone due to kidney damage. A person with a restricted diet due to chronic kidney disease may not get enough nutrients to make red blood cells. Losing blood due to hemodialysis can also lead to iron-deficiency anemia.
Anemia due to cancer is often a mix of blood loss, side effects from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, and due to cancers that affect or spread to the bone marrow, where red blood cells are made.
It is also possible for older adults to develop anemia of inflammation without having a chronic disease or infection.
Symptoms of Anemia of Chronic Disease
Early in its course, anemia of inflammation may not have symptoms. It develops slowly. As it progresses,anemia can have mild to severe symptoms. Symptoms of anemia of chronic disease include:
What Tests Diagnose Chronic Anemia?
A healthcare provider will examine you to check for anemia and ask about your symptoms and your chronic disease. They’ll run many blood tests to see if your chronic condition is causing anemia. Tests and related lab values that indicate anemia of chronic disease include the following.
Acomplete blood count(CBC),peripheral smear, andreticulocyte countto study the blood cells include these indications of anemia:
Blood tests to check iron levelsinclude:
Other tests include:
Treatment for Anemia of Chronic Disease
Procedures that might be needed include:
Medicines:
Anemia of Chronic Disease vs. Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Anemia of chronic disease is different from iron-deficiency anemia.
The symptoms of the two are similar, but the causes are different. In some cases, such as diseases that result in blood loss, people can have both types of anemia.
Possible Complications of Anemia of Chronic Disease
Most of the time, the symptoms of anemia are the most significant complication. Anemia of chronic disease can increase the risk of death in people with heart failure. In people with chronic kidney disease, severe anemia can lead to heart problems. And untreated, severe anemia can be life-threatening.
Does Anemia of Chronic Disease Get Better?
Generally, the outlook for people with anemia of chronic disease is promising. Most people improve when the anemia cause is discovered and treated.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes for Chronic Anemia
A healthy diet is recommended.Your healthcare provider can share information on what you should be eating and refer you to a dietitian for nutritional counseling.
Depending on the underlying condition and how it affects nutrient absorption and use, a healthcare provider may recommend changes to address specific nutrient deficiencies, like iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you have a long-term disorder or chronic disease and start showing anemia symptoms, let your healthcare provider know. They’ll do an exam and blood tests to diagnose anemia and work with you to treat the cause. Treatment helps most people with anemia of chronic disease feel better.
Summary
Anemia of chronic disease is a common type of anemia. Inflammation from long-term or chronic diseases causes it. It is also known as anemia of inflammation.
Cancer, autoimmune conditions, chronic infections, and other conditions can all cause anemia of chronic disease. Symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, headache, pale appearance, and shortness of breath.
Blood tests for anemia include a complete blood count and iron and iron-related protein levels. Treatment involves addressing the underlying chronic disease or reducing inflammation.
Blood transfusions, EPO, and medicines to stimulate red blood cells can treat anemia. Supplemental iron may or may not be recommended, as this type of anemia differs from iron-deficiency anemia, but they can occur together. With treatment, the outlook for people with anemia of chronic disease is generally favorable.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Anemia of inflammation or chronic disease.American Society of Hematology.Anemia.MedlinePlus.Anemia of chronic disease.MedlinePlus.CBC blood test.MedlinePlus.Reticulocyte count.Rohr, M., Brandenburg, V. & Brunner-La Rocca, HP.How to diagnose iron deficiency in chronic disease: a review of current methods and potential marker for the outcome. doi:10.1186/s40001-022-00922-6MedlinePlus.C-reactive protein.MedlinePlus.ESR.Wiciński M, Liczner G, Cadelski K, Kołnierzak T, Nowaczewska M, Malinowski B.Anemia of chronic diseases: wider diagnostics-better treatment?Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1784. doi:10.3390/nu12061784
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Anemia of inflammation or chronic disease.American Society of Hematology.Anemia.MedlinePlus.Anemia of chronic disease.MedlinePlus.CBC blood test.MedlinePlus.Reticulocyte count.Rohr, M., Brandenburg, V. & Brunner-La Rocca, HP.How to diagnose iron deficiency in chronic disease: a review of current methods and potential marker for the outcome. doi:10.1186/s40001-022-00922-6MedlinePlus.C-reactive protein.MedlinePlus.ESR.Wiciński M, Liczner G, Cadelski K, Kołnierzak T, Nowaczewska M, Malinowski B.Anemia of chronic diseases: wider diagnostics-better treatment?Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1784. doi:10.3390/nu12061784
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Wiciński M, Liczner G, Cadelski K, Kołnierzak T, Nowaczewska M, Malinowski B.Anemia of chronic diseases: wider diagnostics-better treatment?Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1784. doi:10.3390/nu12061784
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