Health Information Library

Low red blood cells caused by certain chronic diseases.

Anemia of chronic disease occurs when a person has a low amount of healthy red blood cells and certain chronic diseases. The condition can happen with kidney disease, cancer or an infection.

Symptoms of anemia include weakness and shortness of breath, in addition to symptoms of the chronic disease.

Treatment for anemia of chronic disease focuses on the disease that's causing the anemia. If symptoms become severe, treatment might include getting blood, called a transfusion.