Anemia
What is Fanconi Anemia?
Fanconi anemia (fan-KO-nee uh-NEE-me-uh), or FA, is a rare, inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure. FA prevents your bone marrow from making enough new blood cells for your body to work normally. FA also can cause your bone marrow to make many abnormal blood cells. This can lead to serious health... »
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik uh-NEE-me-uh) is a blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets). Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of... »
Anemia Overview
Anemia (uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. Anemia also can occur if your red blood cells don’t contain enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the... »
Treatment for Anemia
Treatment for anemia depends on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary changes or supplements, medicines, or procedures. Goals of Treatment The goal of treatment is to increase the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry. This is done by raising the red blood cell count and/or hemoglobin... »
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome
Antiphospholipid (AN-te-fos-fo-LIP-id) antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur if the body’s immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage the body’s tissues or cells. Antibodies are a type of protein. The immune system usually makes these proteins to defend against infection. In APS, the body makes antibodies that mistakenly attack... »
What Is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik uh-NEE-me-uh) is a blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets). Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of... »
What Is Pernicious Anemia?
Pernicious anemia (per-NISH-us uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which the body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells because it doesn’t have enough vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is a nutrient found in certain foods. The body needs this nutrient to make healthy red blood cells and to keep its nervous system working properly. People... »
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is a common, easily treated condition that occurs when you don’t have enough iron in your body. Low iron levels usually are due to blood loss, poor diet, or an inability to absorb enough iron from foods. Overview Iron-deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia. The term “anemia” usually refers to... »
What Is Hemolytic Anemia?
Hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ick uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is up. Red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. These cells carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body. Red... »