Why do people with kidney disease get anemia?
Your kidneys make an important hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). Hormones are chemical messengers that travel to tissues and organs to help you stay healthy. EPO tells your body to make red blood cells. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys cannot make enough EPO. Low EPO levels cause your red blood cell count to drop and anemia to develop.
Most people with kidney disease will develop anemia. Anemia can happen early in the course of kidney disease and grow worse as kidneys fail and can no longer make EPO. Anemia is especially common if you:
- Have diabetes
- Are African-American/Black
- Have moderate or severe loss of kidney function (CKD stage 3 or 4)
- Have kidney failure (stage 5)
- Are female
Check out our online communities to connect, learn more and hear from others going through similar experiences.
NKF Kidney Disease Community
Advice … biopsy
hi I was hoping for some advice. My partner has one kidney and had a biopsy yesterday morning at a hospital in London.He was due to be discharged but stayed in as couldn’t pass urine. He hasn’t been able to produce urine yet - has been cathetered. they’ve done an ultrasound already and no evidence of blockage. Has anyone else been through
BNP results
I received the results of a blood test, and my B Natriuaetic Peptides are 119.0 mg/ml. I assume this is not good. Are my days numbered? I eat right, little carbs, little, if any sugars, no alchohol. I mainly protein, like fish and beef. Rarely a salad. No breakfast cereals other than occasional oatmeal or grits. Eggs and bacon. Diabetes runs in my
wasting and ct scan
I am going for a ct scan tomorrow for thorax abdomen pelvis with contrast, has anyone had one of these ,I have heard the preparation is longer than the scan, it's for wasting which is not good, probably looking for other things.
Doctors remove pig kidney from an Alabama woman after a record 130 days....
Sad news here.... by: LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated Press Posted: Apr 11, 2025 / 11:35 AM CDT Updated: Apr 11, 2025 / 11:47 AM CDT WASHINGTON (AP) — An Alabama woman who lived with a pig kidney for a record 130 days had the organ removed after her body began rejecting it and is back on dialysis, doctors announced Friday – a disappointment in
Daily tips
Nothing to do with Kidneys but interesting...
For those who ever had to experience Gout. Here is an interesting story that came up that has nothing to do with Kidneys or Gout. Imagine having the name Gout? Stay safe! https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/athletics/17-year-old-gout-gout-breaks-10-second-barrier-for-100m-twice-in-same-day/ar-AA1CFUG4?ocid=BingNewsSerp Well, it turns out someon
contrast dyes
I am due to having a ct scan with contrast, for abdomen and pelvis, but after reading stories on here it doesn't sound safe for the kidneys, I have got proteinuria, the reason I am having one is for wasting leaking protein, any help please.
Newbie
I was diagnosed with stage 5 ckd w/gfr of 16. Going through so much, gout, freezing chills. Spasms throughout the night. Swollen right now. Extreme fatigue, body perks, fluid around my lungs etc
CKD Diet
Hi, I would like to know what food to eat and whet food to stay away from, has anyone got an idea for a beginner?. I have just started Dialysis.
Undecided on Dialysis
Hi, we have so many questions that we cant seem to get any clear answers so hoping someone had a similar experience or can offer some insight. My husband was stage 2 in November. Gfr was 45 and creatine stayed around 2.9 to 3.1. In December he caught a virus. He was pretty sick for a few weeks, but never really regained his energy and just felt bad
How do I know if I have anemia?
Not everyone with anemia has symptoms. If you have kidney disease, you should have a blood test to measure your hemoglobin level at least once a year to check for anemia. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. If your hemoglobin is too low, it is likely you have anemia. In that case, your healthcare provider will check to find the exact cause of your anemia and plan a treatment that is right for you.
How do you treat anemia?
Your treatment will depend on the exact cause of your anemia.
If your anemia is due to kidney disease, your healthcare provider will treat you with:
- Drugs called erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs)
ESAs help your body make red blood cells. Your healthcare provider will give the ESA to you as an injection under the skin. - Extra iron
Your body also needs iron to make red blood cells—especially when you are receiving ESAs. Without enough iron, your ESA treatment will not work as well. Your healthcare provider may give you iron to take as a pill. Another way to receive iron is directly into a vein in your doctor's office or clinic.
For more information please view our full PDF brochures or request a free copy by calling 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or email nkfcares@kidney.org.
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© 2015 National Kidney Foundation. All rights reserved. This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations.
