Other Common Causes of Anemia
Chronic (long term) illnesses can cause anemia. Red blood cells are produced by the bone marrow in response to a hormone called erythropoietin, made primarily by the kidneys. Chronic kidney disease can cause anemia resulting from too little production of this hormone; the anemia can be treated by giving erythropoietin injections. Whenever there are chronic diseases that stimulate the body’s inflammatory system, the ability of the bone marrow to respond to erythropoietin is decreased. For example, rheumatoid arthritis (a severe form of joint disease caused by the body attacking its own joints, termed an autoimmune disease) can cause anemia by this mechanism. Other diseases that can produce anemia in the same way include chronic infections (such as with HIV or tuberculosis), cancer, and cirrhosis. Diseases in which the bone marrow is damaged or replaced (as can occur with leukemia and lymphoma, tumors of the white blood cells) are also associated with anemia.

A number of other conditions can also cause anemia (for example, see G6PD); this discussion covers only the most common forms. Your doctor will diagnose and treat your anemia based upon your family history, medical history, symptoms, and the laboratory tests described above.