Determining the cause of anemia is crucial ...

Updated May 26, 2014.

Written and reviewed by a Board Certified physician. See the Medical Review Board About.com.

Anemia is a condition where the blood has an unusually low number of red blood cells or amount of the hemoglobin occurs. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein binds the oxygen in the lungs, so that he transported to the tissues of the body.

Anemia in patients with inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis together. For example, anemia of chronic diseases is a specific type of anemia which develops in response to inflammation. Anemia of chronic disease is, however, distinguished from other types of anemia, because the treatment depends on the type.

The symptoms of anemia

The most common symptoms are fatigue, anemia, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, headache, cold hands, cold feet, pale or yellowed skin, and chest pain. A person with anemia may include one or more of these symptoms occur. If there are no obvious signs or symptoms of anemia, the disease may go unnoticed until a blood test done.

Types of anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. As the name implies, this type of anemia develops when you miss a sufficient amount of iron in the body. In general, the blood loss is a result of iron deficiency anemia, the poor absorption of iron but may also cause disease.

Vitamin deficiency anemia may develop if there is a low level of vitamin B12 or folic acid in the body. With vitamin B12, vitamin often not well absorbed. Pernicious anemia is one of many causes of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Aplastic anemia is a rare type of anemia when the body is not developed enough to produce red blood cells. Viral infections, exposure to toxic chemicals, autoimmune diseases, and some medications are considered as possible causes into consideration.

Hemolytic anemia occurs when an abnormal distribution of red blood cells in the blood or spleen. Possible causes are mechanical reasons (eg aneurysms), infection, autoimmune disease or congenital or hereditary disorders (eg, sickle cell anemia).

Anemia of chronic disease is a disease that develops anemia secondary to another disease. Can cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis or condition that interferes be associated with the production of red blood cells.

Distinguish the anemia of chronic disease iron deficiency anemia

For people with inflammatory arthritis, it is important to distinguish between the two most common types of anemia that affect them - iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease. Many arthritis patients taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as part of their treatment. NSAIDs are associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients and physicians should be aware of the risks, symptoms and regular blood tests to check blood counts monitored. As mentioned above, the loss of blood to the underlying cause of iron deficiency anemia can be.

The anemia of chronic disease is altered iron metabolism. If the inflammation is triggered by the immune system, the metabolism of iron in the body goes into defense mode, so to speak. When this happens, there is a slight decrease in hemoglobin is less iron is absorbed by the body free iron in the body is stored in the liver cells, and the amount of increase in serum ferritin.

Anemia of chronic disease is not progressing. In general, the hemoglobin values rise somewhat lower than normal, usually not in love with 9.5 mg / dl. As iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease, serum iron is small. Small red blood cells can be seen under the microscope, or by state, but are usually of iron deficiency anemia. Transferrin, a protein that transports iron is high in iron deficiency anemia - a sign that the body is more iron. The total iron binding capacity (CBC), an indirect measure of transferrin, low in anemia of chronic disease - that it is not easy to get a sign, not enough iron, but. CTF is usually high when the reduced iron stores and low when iron stores are high. In iron deficiency anemia is usually greater than CTF 400 mcg / dL for iron stores are low.

Serum ferritin is often used to distinguish between the two types of anemia, but be higher in the presence of inflammation. With an inflammatory condition serum ferritin can be increased to a normal level, although iron deficiency. It can be confusing. The serum transferrin receptor test can help to solve this problem, as it is less affected by inflammation. In iron deficiency anemia, the serum transferrin receptor. In anemia of chronic disease, serum transferrin receptor, the lower side of the normal, or usually less.

Anemia of chronic disease is not treated with iron supplements. Extra iron can be harmful even after the underlying chronic disease. However, iron supplements can be specified in iron deficiency anemia. Must also, in the case of bleeding are the source of bleeding.

_Sources:

_{Anemia. American Society of Hematology. Accessed 13/07/13.
http://www.hematology.org/patients/blood-disorders/anemia/5225.aspx}

_{Iron Disorders Institute. Anemia of chronic disease. Accessed 13/07/13.
chronic http://www.irondisorders.org/anemia-}