CKD and Anemia

Yes, although my diagnosis of anemia preceded the diagnosis of kidney disease. My anemia - classified as macrocytic anemia - has been gradually getting worse for several years, and my doctors have yet to identify a cause. I’m not iron-deficient, B12-deficient, or folate-deficient. In more recent testing, my kidney numbers have also been getting worse. To address both to some extent, the hematologist at Mayo prescribed a monthly injection of Aranesp to bring my hemoglobin up. I just had my second monthly injection last week and there has been some improvement already. My wife even said my color has improved, and I feel like my energy level has gone up a bit.

Hi, new here, I’m actually stage 2, hopefully I haven’t progressed to stage 3. The Nephrologist, after being hospitalized for 4 days, due to low sodium levels. Brushed everything off…… however, I been suffering w/severe anemia really bad. Taking liquid iron. Hope you feel better darling.🫶🏾

I have Stage 3 CKD and also have anemia. My nephrologist says that this is common. I was taking an oral supplement of iron and told to take it without other meds or food so that it can be absorbed better. I took it early in the morning. It can be hard on your stomach but I did it. My renal dietician gave me a list of foods that are rich in iron and I tried to include them. I also had several months of IV iron infusions once a month. All those things helped. I no longer take the supplements or have the infusions. But I try to eat iron rich foods.
About 21 years ago I had a pancreas transplant and that is when I first found out that I had “mild to moderate kidney disease”. Around that time I was getting Aranesp injections as @ckscoville mentioned. The protocol was that if my hemoglobin was less than 7, I got the injection. One time it dropped to 2 and I ended up hospitalized overnight to receive blood transfusions. I would rather consume iron supplements, eat tons of spinach (like Popeye) and even have IV iron infusions than that!

There are several types of anemia as this article from the American Society of Hematologists explains: https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia

It is always wise to understand what type of anemia we have in order to address it correctly. For those of us with kidney issues, often the anemia is caused by the lack of erythropoietin, a hormone that triggers red blood cell making in our bodies, and is depleted as kidney function declines. Once again, this is where the healthy eating comes in to play! I myself take a chelated iron capsule twice a day to keep up on things.
Ginger