In this section, find out more about how kidney disease can cause anemia. One of the most debilitating side effects of anemia is fatigue, or excessive tiredness. If you've been feeling especially tired since you developed kidney problems, you might have anemia. In addition to the educational areas on this site, you'll also find links to support and help organizations , plus patient tools like a Brief Fatigue Inventory to assess your level of fatigue, and a Monthly Energy Calendar . Kidney Disease Kidneys perform crucial functions, which affect all parts of the body.
Erythropoietin is the hormone that regulates red blood cell production.
The anemia of chronic renal failure is caused primarily by damage to the areas within your kidney responsible for erythropoietin production. This results in a marked decrease in the amount of erythropoietin produced when needed. The production of red blood cells in people with renal failure is totally dependent upon the small amount of erythropoietin produced by the damaged kidney and other sites, such as the liver. Diabetes People with diabetes and hypertension can undergo a slow loss of kidney function, called nephropathy. Early diagnosis of kidney disease is essential in patients with diabetes.