Anemia means your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. In CKD, the kidneys may not make enough of a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which helps your body produce red blood cells.
Why it matters:
Anemia can make you feel tired, weak, or short of breath.
It can also affect your heart health and overall quality of life.
Signs and symptoms:
Low energy or fatigue
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Trouble focusing or dizziness
What you can do:
Ask your doctor about blood tests to check for anemia.
Treat causes like low iron or vitamin deficiency.
Some patients may need iron, vitamins, or special injections to boost red blood cells.