Anemia And Chronic Kidney Disease Correlation

Anemia is a condition in which your blood's concentration of red blood cells or hemoglobin is below normal. The iron-rich protein known as hemoglobin enables red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Your tissues and organs, such as your heart and brain, may not receive enough oxygen to function correctly if you have fewer red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Anemia is a frequent side effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney disease is characterized by impaired blood filtration due to damaged kidneys. Wastes and fluid might accumulate in your body as a result of this harm. Other health issues might also result from CKD.

Early kidney disease is less likely to cause anemia, and as the illness advances and more kidney function is lost, anemia frequently worsens.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a crucial hormone that is produced by your kidneys. Chemical messengers called hormones flow to tissues and organs to support your overall wellness. Red blood cell production is commanded by EPO. Your kidneys are unable to produce enough EPO when you have renal disease. Your red blood cell count declines and anemia sets in when your EPO levels are too low.

Anemia usually develops in kidney disease patients. Early on in the course of kidney illness, anemia can develop and get worse when the kidneys fail and are no longer able to produce EPO. Anemia is more prevalent if you:

• Already have diabetes
• Have CKD stage 3 or 4 with moderate or severe Kidney function loss
• Have stage 5 Kidney disease

What causes anemia in chronic kidney disease?

Multiple factors frequently contribute to anemia in CKD patients.

The hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which instructs your bone marrow—the spongy tissue within most of your bones—to manufacture red blood cells—is less produced by damaged kidneys. Your body produces fewer red blood cells when EPO levels are low, and as a result, your organs and tissues receive less oxygen.

In addition to your body producing fewer red blood cells, persons with anemia and CKD tend to have red blood cells that stay in the bloodstream for a shorter period of time than average, which causes the blood cells to deplete more quickly than they can be replenished.

Iron, vitamin B12, and folate are nutrients that are necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells but may be insufficient in people with anemia and CKD.

Other factors contributing to CKD-related anemia include:

• Blood loss, especially if you are receiving treatment for kidney failure with dialysis
• Infection
• Inflammation
• When the body doesn't obtain enough nutrients, it might develop malnutrition.

How can I determine whether I have anemia?

Anemia is not always accompanied by symptoms. At the very least once a year, if you have kidney illness, you should get a blood test to evaluate your hemoglobin level and rule out anemia. 

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout your body. You most likely have anemia if your hemoglobin level is too low. In such situation, your healthcare professional will do tests to determine the precise cause of your anemia and then develop a treatment strategy for you.

Some Anemia symptoms include: 

• Looking pale
• You lack appetite
• Headaches or a feeling of vertigo
• Heartbeat is rapid
• Shortness of breath

Who has a higher risk of anemia in CKD?

As your kidney disease worsens, you become more susceptible to anemia.

People with CKD who also have diabetes are more likely to develop anemia, do so earlier, and frequently have more severe anemia than those with CKD alone.  Anemia with CKD is also more common in people over 60.

How does anemia in CKD influence eating, food, and nutrition?

To manage your anemia and CKD, you might need to alter your diet. Develop a meal plan with the help of your doctor or a certified dietitian that incorporates items you want to eat while controlling your anemia and kidney function.

Your doctor or a nutritionist may advise you to increase your intake of foods containing these nutrients if your body is lacking in iron, vitamin B12, or folate. 

However, a person with CKD may need to restrict their consumption of certain of these meals due to their high protein, salt, or phosphorus content. Before making any dietary changes, consult a dietician or member of your healthcare team.

How can medical experts diagnose anemia in CKD?

Blood test

It frequently occurs as part of an annual physical. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are just a few of the blood components that this test evaluates. Anemia may be indicated by red blood cell counts that are greater or lower than usual.

You will have a blood sample drawn by a medical expert, who will then submit the sample to a lab for analysis. Complete blood count link, or CBC, is a test that combines some of these blood count tests with others.

If the results of your blood tests indicate that you have anemia but the cause is not known, your doctor may request more tests in search for the problem or may send you to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.

How do you treat anemia?

The specific cause of your anemia will determine how you should be treated.

Your doctor will administer the following treatments if your anemia is brought on by renal disease:

ESA Drugs- Red blood cell production is aided by medications known as erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs). You will receive an injection of ESA beneath your skin from your healthcare professional.

More iron -Iron is also necessary for your body to produce red blood cells, especially if you use ESAs. Your ESA medication won't be as effective if you don't consume enough iron. Your doctor could prescribe iron pills for you to take. Direct injection of iron into a vein in a medical facility is another option.