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Is Your Tiredness Due to Anemia of Chronic Disease?
Published: Dec 04, 2023
Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) can sneak up on you, often linked to long-term illnesses. Let's explore what it is and how it affects your body.
What is Anemia of Chronic Disease?
Anemia of chronic disease (ACD), also known as anemia of inflammation, is a condition where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells due to an underlying illness. It is commonly associated with long-term diseases like infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. ACD makes it hard for your body to utilize iron effectively, leading to reduced production of red blood cells.
How Iron Plays a Role
In ACD, your body’s defense system causes iron to be trapped inside cells, making it unavailable for red blood cell production. This is primarily due to increased levels of a hormone called hepcidin, which prevents iron from being absorbed and used by the body. The consequence is low iron levels in the bloodstream, even though there’s plenty stored in the body.
Common Symptoms and Who Gets It
People with ACD often feel tired, weak, and may have trouble thinking clearly. This condition is usually mild to moderate and often goes unnoticed because its symptoms overlap with those of underlying diseases. It is more common in older adults and those with chronic infections, cancer, or autoimmune disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
ACD is caused by long-term illnesses that trigger inflammation.
Unlike iron deficiency anemia, ACD involves plenty of stored iron that's not usable.
Treating the underlying disease often helps improve ACD.
ACD is diagnosed through blood tests showing low iron and inflammation signs.
The Bottom Line
Understanding ACD can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
References
- Weiss G, Ganz T, Goodnough LT. Anemia of inflammation. Blood 2019; 133:40.
- Drakesmith H, Prentice AM. Hepcidin and the iron-infection axis. Science 2012; 338:768.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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