What causes anemia in people with diabetes?
Long-standing diabetes can affect your kidneys (known as diabetic nephropathy) and your nerves (known as diabetic neuropathy).10,11 When diabetes affects your kidneys, they may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin, a hormone that controls production of red blood cells.10 When diabetes affects your nerves, your body many not be able to properly signal the kidneys to produce more erythropoietin in response to anemia.11 Both diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy may contribute to the development of anemia. Some medications used to treat diabetes, hypertension and other related conditions may add to the risk of anemia. Diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (Avandia and Actos) as well as metformin (Glucophage) can increase the risk of developing anemia.
Long-standing diabetes can affect your kidneys (known as diabetic nephropathy) and your nerves (known as diabetic neuropathy).10,11 When diabetes affects your kidneys, they may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin, a hormone that controls production of red blood cells.10 When diabetes affects your nerves, your body many not be able to properly signal the kidneys to produce more erythropoietin in response to anemia.11 Both diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy may contribute to the development of anemia. Some medications used to treat diabetes, hypertension and other related conditions may add to the risk of anemia.
