Some thyroid conditions (problems with a hormone that helps regulate weight).

Damage to the kidneys or to bone marrow.

Many opportunistic infections (OIs) related to HIV.

HIV itself can prevent the production of red blood cells in bone marrow (soft substance inside bones).

Not enough B vitamins: too little of the B vitamin folic acid (folate) can cause anemia when your body is not getting enough vitamin B12, it is called 'pernicious anemia'.

This most often happens because a woman loses too much blood during heavy or long menstrual periods, has frequent nosebleeds, or bleeding from the bowels referred to as 'iron deficiency anemia' There are many possible causes of anemia, including:

Lips, gums, lining of the eyelids, nail beds, and palms are less pink than usual.

Pale (lighter than normal colored) skin.

Rapid heart rate (fast heartbeat, even if you are sitting still).Difficulty breathing being short of breath.Fatigue (extreme tiredness can be mild to severe).Symptoms usually appear and get worse as anemia gets worse.

The good news is, anemia can be diagnosed and treated.Īt first, anemia can be so mild that you do not notice it. With severe or long-lasting anemia, the lack of oxygen in the blood can damage the heart, brain, and other organs of the body. It can also be temporary or a longer-lasting problem. The body needs oxygen to make energy and carry out all its functions.Īnemia can be mild, moderate, or severe (very bad). HGB carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It is found in red blood cells and gives blood its red color. HGB is a protein that uses iron to carry oxygen. Anemia can happen if you have too few red blood cells (RBCs) or if the hemoglobin (HGB) level in your red blood cells is below normal. The red cells carry oxygen, and the white cells fight infections. Your blood has red and white blood cells. Many people living with HIV may have anemia (be anemic) at some point, so it is important to know what anemia is, how to recognize it, and how to manage it. The cause of anemia may also be unrelated to HIV, and some people living with HIV may be vulnerable to anemia due to these other causes. However, anemia continues to affect people living with HIV, especially those with lower CD4 counts (less than 200 cells/mm3). Since people started taking combinations of HIV drugs, serious anemia has become less common. Anemia has long been a concern for people living with HIV. Table of ContentsĪnemia is a condition that occurs when your body has too few healthy red blood cells or not enough hemoglobin. Para leer esta hoja informativa en español, haga clic aquí.

Female hemoglobin and hematocrit levels