Anemia happens when there is a low red blood cell count. Red blood cells are
responsible for carrying oxygen to all the cell throughout the body. Cells will
use oxygen to change the glucose we get from foods into energy. While, anemia is
a common problem with Chronic Renal Failure. Why?
Patients with Chronic Renal Failure develop anemia due to low levels of
erythropoietin (EPO) and/or iron in the body.
EPO is an endogenous hormone produce by the healthy kidneys. This hormone
tells the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, so more oxygen can be
transported. However, if the damaged kidneys fail to work normally, they make
little or no EPO.
Anemia in Chronic Renal Failure can also be caused due to iron deficiency.
Iron is a mineral which can be found in high-protein foods. This mineral can
help make hemoglobin, the protein in the red blood cell that carries oxygen.
Patients are often told to follow a low protein diet, so they may not get enough
amounts of iron from the diet.
The amount of red blood cells can also be affected by the accumulation of
waste products in the blood. Normally, the kidneys can excrete toxins from the
blood, but the damaged kidneys fail to filter as normal. If the body cannot get
rid of these wastes, they will build up in the bloodstream.
Anemia often occur early in patients with chronic kidney disease, and the
anemia worsens with time, as the disease develops. Every organ of the body can
be directly or indirectly affected by this condition. If combines with high
blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) can be causes. In severe
cases, death can even be result.