Ganciclovir-induced anemia can often be managed by medications that stimulate the bone marrow to produce blood cells. Vitamin deficiencies are perhaps the easiest cause of anemia to treat. These are managed with dietary supplements. Folic acids is available as a tablet, and B-12 can be taken either orally or sometimes an injection is required. A specific hormonal insufficiency can also be a cause of anemia.
Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.
A simple blood test measures this hormone. This causes the body to increase production of RBCs, effectively treating the anemia, and decreasing the need for blood transfusions. For a hemoglobin of less than 8.5, they are a necessity. By receiving RBCs from a healthy person, your own levels go up. But this often merely treats the symptoms and there are drawbacks.