Kidney 101

Understanding Anemia

Understanding Anemia and Why Kidney Disease Can Make You Feel Tired.

Our team works closely with patients to monitor and manage anemia, helping you maintain your energy and quality of life while addressing the underlying kidney condition.

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If You've Been Feeling Unusually Tired or Weak Since Your Kidney Disease Diagnosis, You're Not Imagining It.

What's Happening

Many people with chronic kidney disease develop anemia, a condition where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen effectively throughout your body.

We understand how frustrating it can be when anemia affects your energy levels and daily activities. Your nutrition, any blood loss, other health conditions, and chronic infections can all influence how anemia affects you.

The Severity of Anemia Typically Increases as Kidney Function Declines.

Recognizing Anemia

Your kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) that signals your bone marrow to make new red blood cells. As kidney function decreases, EPO production drops, leading to fewer red blood cells and the fatigue you're experiencing.

Symptoms to Watch For

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased ability to carry out physical activities
  • Increasing shortness of breath
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Pale skin
  • Brittle nails
  • Chest pain
  • Cold hands and feet

Once the cause is determined, a plan of action can be put in place.

Testing & Treatment

In stages 1 and 2 of CKD, it is important to determine whether anemia is a result of poor kidney function or another cause.

In stages 3, 4 and 5 of CKD, it is important to closely monitor hemoglobin and iron status.

Explore Your Options

  • Monitor complete blood count.
  • Transferrin Saturation and Ferritin testing for iron deficiency – if either level is low, an oral iron supplement may be prescribed.
  • Blood test for B12 and folate – if these are low, oral supplements can be taken.
  • Reticulocyte test, to determine the percentage of young red blood cells in the blood, reveals either an inadequate production of red blood cells or a loss of red blood cells.
  • Eat an iron-rich diet of meat and dark leafy green vegetables – if recommended by your provider.
  • Intravenous Iron if needed.
  • Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) are drugs that mimic the body’s natural erythropoietin to increase production of red blood cells.

IV Iron Treatment

Navigating Anemia

Concerns

Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have adequate iron supply to produce hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When a patient cannot take an oral iron supplement, intravenous (IV) iron supplementation may be necessary.

Treatment

With IV iron supplementation, iron is delivered via needle injection into a patient’s vein/bloodstream. A series of IV iron treatments are likely necessary to restore the patient’s iron levels to normal. Depending on the patient, it may take between one week and one month before he/she sees the signs of anemia diminish.

Your journey to better kidney health starts with understanding your options.

Patient Care and Education

Whether you're seeking a second opinion, need ongoing management for a diagnosed condition, or want to explore treatment possibilities, we're here to listen to your concerns and help you find the path forward that gives you the most confidence and peace of mind

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