Anemia
When “Tired Blood” is Slowing You Down Most people have heard of anemia and know that it has something to do with the blood. Most people also associate anemia with feeling tired. But probably not too many people could explain exactly what anemia is. Stated simply, anemia is a condition in which there is a lower than normal number of healthy red blood cells in the body and/or a lower than normal amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. The specific part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen is called hemoglobin. Red blood cells also carry waste products from the cells to the urinary and respiratory systems to be excreted. When either the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin is low, the body’s cells receive less oxygen than normal. A low oxygen level can cause fatigue and other symptoms such as weakness, difficulty exercising, and light-headedness. Anemia can develop for many reasons. In fact, there are more than 400 types of anemia. But they can all be categorized into these three general groups: Anemia caused by the loss of blood Anemia caused by a decrease in red blood cell production in the bone marrow or impaired production of red blood cells Anemia caused by red blood cell destruction Anemia is a fairly common condition, but it often goes unrecognized and therefore not treated. Its symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for symptoms of other serious or chronic diseases. But even mild anemia can significantly lower one’s quality of life, and untreated anemia can have serious long-term health effects. Diabetes and anemia Diabetes does not directly cause anemia, but certain complications and conditions associated with diabetes can contribute to it. For example, both Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Anemia: Are They Related?
Someone’s anemic if they have an abnormally low amount of red blood cells – and when there are too few red blood cells, body organs don’t get the oxygen they need. This not only strains and damages organs, but it also decreases a person’s quality of life by causing fatigue, weakness, and headaches. Red blood cells can transport oxygen because they’re full of a complex molecule called hemoglobin, which can grab, hold, and release oxygen as needed in different part of the body. A doctor may an anemic person as having “too little hemoglobin” or “a low hematocrit”. The first statement refers to the amount of concentration of hemoglobin molecules in your blood, and the second refers to the concentration of red blood cells in your blood. If that sounds redundant, you’re right! They’re both describing the same thing. That’s why it’s best to pay attention to one or the other (not both) to avoid confusion. Types of anemia There are quite a few different types of anemia (over 400 to be exact!). The most common ones are summarized below. It is very important to know the type of anemia and the cause. Without knowing the cause, you cannot treat the disease! Iron Deficiency. This is the most common type. It is caused by lack of absorption, intake, or by blood loss. Aplastic. This occurs when the body stops making new red blood cells. It is rare, but very serious. Hemolytic. This type happens when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. Vitamin Deficiency. Poor nutrition, or impaired vitamin absorption causes this type. Pernicious. With this, the B-12 intake is okay, but the body cannot process it correctly. Fragile Red Cell. Some people inherit abnormal red blood cells that die earlier than normal, like in sickle cell or thalassemia. Continue reading >>
Iron Deficiency Anemia And Glucose Metabolism.
Acta Biomed. 2017 Apr 28;88(1):112-118. doi: 10.23750/abm.v88i1.6049. Iron deficiency anemia and glucose metabolism. Department of Pediatrics, Alexandria University Children Hospital, Elchatby, Alexandria, Egypt. [email protected] Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. It occurs at all stages of the life cycle, but is more prevalent in pregnant women and young children. IDA appears to be more common in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic population. Iron deficiency (ID) and IDA can impair glucose homeostasis in animals and human and may negatively affect glycemic control and predispose to more complications in diabetic patients. On the other hand diabetes and its complications are associated with anemia and its correction improves diabetes control and may prevent or delay the occurrence of complications. Physicians treating this form of anemia should be aware of its negative effect on glycemic control in normal and diabetic patients (both type 1 and type 2). They should prevent ID and treat early all those with IDA.This brief review aims to enlighten the different effects of IDA on glucose metabolism in normal and diabetic patients. : Iron, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) , insulin, glycemic control, diabetes type 1 and type 2 Continue reading >>
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All About Hypoglycemia (low Blood Sugar)
Hypoglycemia refers to an abnormally low level of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. Hypoglycemia is not a disease in itself, it is a sign of a health problem. The brain uses a lot of energy and needs glucose to function. Because the brain cannot store or manufacture glucose, it needs a continuous supply. Signs of low blood sugar include hunger, trembling, heart racing, nausea, and sweating. Hypoglycemia is commonly linked with diabetes, but many other conditions can also cause low blood sugar. This article will discuss the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hypoglycemia, and the difference between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. We will also look at how to prevent it. Here are some key points about hypoglycemia. More detail is in the main article. Hypoglycemia is not a disease but a symptom of another condition. Early symptoms include hunger, sweating, and trembling. A common cause is diabetes. Alcohol abuse and kidney disorders can also lower blood sugar levels. What is hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is a condition where there is not enough glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Levels of blood sugar are below 4 mmol/L (72mg/dL). Adults and children with mild hypoglycemia may experience the following early symptoms: hunger tremor or trembling sweating irritability a pale face heart palpitations accelerated heart rate tingling lips dizziness weakness Severe hypoglycemia is sometimes called diabetic shock. It may involve: concentration problems confusion irrational and disorderly behavior, similar to intoxication inability to eat or drink Complications If a person does not take action when symptoms of hypoclycemia appear, it can lead to: A person who regularly experiences hypoglycemia may become unaware that it is happening. They will not notice the warning signs, and this can lea Continue reading >>
I Am Currently Anemic And Was Wondering If That Affects Blood Sugar Readings?
A: Anemia can affect the blood glucose numbers and your A1C levels, making them both inaccurate. For anemia to make your blood glucose readings inaccurate, the hematocrit has to be fairly low, and some meters have a lower threshold than others. Check the specification guidelines found on the paper insert that comes in your box of strips to see what the anemia threshold is for your meter. If you are having a hard time finding this information, ask your pharmacist, as he or she can look it up. Some meters are better than others at providing accurate readings, even in the presence of anemia. If you are prone to anemia, it is best to get a meter that reads blood glucose levels at lower hematocrit levels. Also, it’s important for you to realize that anemia can affect the accuracy of your A1C. Some studies have found that iron-deficiency anemia can underestimate A1C levels, while other studies indicate anemia can overestimate the A1C. In either case, treating the anemia is the best way for you to ensure that your A1C will reflect your true blood glucose numbers. Continue reading >>
Artefactually Low Hemoglobin A1c In A Patient With Hemolytic Anemia
Artefactually Low Hemoglobin A1C in a Patient with Hemolytic Anemia Laboratory Medicine, Volume 41, Issue 5, 1 May 2010, Pages 267270, Gifford Lum; Artefactually Low Hemoglobin A1C in a Patient with Hemolytic Anemia, Laboratory Medicine, Volume 41, Issue 5, 1 May 2010, Pages 267270, Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) is widely used for the monitoring and management of diabetes mellitus. Shortened red cell survival may result in artefactually low HbA1C values. In patients with hemoglobin variants or chemically-modified derivatives of hemoglobin, falsely decreased or increased HbA1C results may be found depending on the particular assay method. Although in most such cases, HbA1C can be reported if the appropriate methodology is selected. In diabetic patients with shortened red cell survival and in a small number of patients with certain hemoglobin variants, alternate approaches such as frequent glucose measurements and/or self glucose monitoring and fructosamine should be used to assess glycemic control. In diabetic patients with these conditions, HbA1C as the preferred diagnostic test for diabetes is not valid. diabetes , HbA1C , falsely low HbA1C , shortened red cell survival , hemolytic anemia The patient was an 84-year-old male who was admitted to the emergency room in April 2009 with the chief complaint of increased bilateral lower extremity edema, a 34-pound weight gain over the past month, and worsening anemia. The patient stated that his legs had been steadily swelling over the last month although he had been taking Lasix faithfully (20 mg Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). In the emergency room, the patient was in atrial fibrillation but was free of chest pain. He had significant lower extremity edema and was given IV Lasix and diuresed approximately 1 liter overnight. Past me Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Anemia:
There are lots of articles about diabetes, as well as all kinds of information about anemia. But what if you have both? About 25 percent of people with diabetes have some level of anemia. This article explains how the two conditions interact. What Is Anemia, and Why Is It Linked to Diabetes? In anemia, there are fewer red blood cells than normal, resulting in less oxygen being carried to the body’s cells. People with anemia often feel tired or weak and may have difficulty getting through activities of daily living. Other symptoms include paleness, poor appetite, dizziness, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Because these symptoms can also be associated with diabetes, they are sometimes not recognized as evidence of anemia. Anemia may occur with diabetes because the hormone that regulates red blood cell production, erythropoietin (EPO), is produced by the kidneys. Kidney damage at several levels is a complication of diabetes, and one problem often leads to the other. Changes in the kidneys that occur with diabetes range from diabetic nephropathy all the way to chronic kidney disease. Early detection and treatment is essential to prevent or delay disease progression. Information in greater detail can be found at www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov. Other causes of anemia are low levels of iron or other vitamins, as well as prolonged illness. Diagnosing Anemia A simple blood test done during a doctor visit, called a complete blood count or CBC, is used to check for anemia. The two elements of the test that reveal anemia are hemoglobin and hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the cells. Hematocrit indicates the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. How Does Anemia Affect Your Diabetes Care? If you have anemia, you Continue reading >>
Iron: How This Supplement Could Impact Your A1c
We need iron. Without enough iron, we’ll get sick. But too much iron can kill us. As with so many things relating to our health, it’s a balancing act. Most people who eat meat get sufficient iron. Some foods these days are also supplemented with iron. The chocolate syrup Bosco was designed to get children to consume more iron. Cooking in iron pots, especially cooking acid foods, adds iron to our diet. Multivitamins designed for younger people contain iron (especially those for pregnant women, as the fetus consumes a lot of iron). Hence nonpregnant Western people who aren’t vegetarians usually get enough iron from their diet. People in Third World countries who don’t get much meat, however, are often iron deficient. Heme iron, or the iron that is in hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells, is absorbed even more efficiently than the nonheme iron that you get when you eat vegetables or take an iron-containing multivitamin pill. So eating meat, especially red meat and liver, should ensure that you get enough iron. Vitamin C will increase the absorption of iron, and large amounts of calcium or whole grains will decrease it. Those of us over 60 probably remember all those ads for “tired blood” in the 1950s and 1960s that implied that older people were tired because they didn’t have enough iron and needed to supplement with Geritol. So should we all try to get as much iron as possible? Nope. There is some evidence that high iron levels contribute to heart disease, and most “senior vitamins,” designed for people who are at an age at which heart disease is more likely, don’t have any added iron. Some people think that losing blood every month helps to protect younger women from heart disease. This protection is lost after menopause. Iron l Continue reading >>
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Diabetes And Anemia
If you have diabetes, you’ll need to have your blood checked regularly for anemia. It’s common for people with diabetes to also end up with this blood condition. It happens when your body’s red blood cells can’t deliver as much oxygen as your body needs. If you spot anemia early on, you can better manage the issues causing it. Usually, it happens because you don’t have enough red blood cells. That can make you more likely to get certain diabetes complications, like eye and nerve damage. And it can worsen kidney, heart, and artery disease, which are more common in people with diabetes. Diabetes often leads to kidney damage, and failing kidneys can cause anemia. Healthy kidneys know when your body needs new red blood cells. They release a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which signals your bone marrow to make more. Damaged kidneys don’t send out enough EPO to keep up with your needs. Often, people don’t realize they have kidney disease until it’s very far along. But if you test positive for anemia, it can be an early sign of a problem with your kidneys. People with diabetes are more likely to have inflamed blood vessels. This can keep bone marrow from getting the signal they need to make more red blood cells. And some medications used to treat diabetes can drop your levels of the protein hemoglobin, which you need to carry oxygen through your blood. These drugs include ACE inhibitors, fibrates, metformin, and thiazolidinediones. If you take one of these, talk to your doctor about your risk for anemia. If you have kidney dialysis, you may have blood loss, and that can also cause anemia. When your brain and other organs don’t get enough oxygen, you feel tired and weak. Other signs you may have anemia include: Shortness of breath Dizziness Headache Pale Continue reading >>
Anemia Causes Hypoglycemia In Icu Patients Due To Error In Single-channel Glucometers: Methods Of Reducing Patient Risk
Anemia Causes Hypoglycemia in ICU Patients Due to Error in Single-Channel Glucometers: Methods of Reducing Patient Risk United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio Please correspondence to: Heather Pidcoke, MD U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research 3400 Rawley E. Chambers Avenue Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6315 T: 210-916-9157 F: 210-916-2942 [email protected] The publisher's final edited version of this article is available at Crit Care Med See other articles in PMC that cite the published article. Intensive insulin therapy (IIT) in the critically ill reduces mortality but carries the risk of increased hypoglycemia. Point-of-care (POC) blood glucose analysis is standard; however anemia causes falsely high values and potentially masks hypoglycemia. Permissive anemia is routinely practiced in most intensive care units (ICUs). We hypothesized that POC glucometer error due to anemia is prevalent, can be mathematically corrected, and correction uncovers occult hypoglycemia during IIT. The study has both retrospective and prospective phases. We rev Continue reading >>
Why Cells Starved Of Iron Burn More Glucose
Follow all of ScienceDaily's latest research news and top science headlines ! Why Cells Starved Of Iron Burn More Glucose Scientists have found a mechanism that allows cells starved of iron to shut down energy-making processes that depend on iron and use a less efficient pathway involving glucose. This metabolic reshuffling mechanism, found in yeast cells, helps explain how humans respond to iron deficiency, and may help with diabetes research as well. Duke University Medical Center scientists have found a mechanism that allows cells starved of iron to shut down energy-making processes that depend on iron and use a less efficient pathway involving glucose. This metabolic reshuffling mechanism, found in yeast cells, helps explain how humans respond to iron deficiency, and may help with diabetes research as well. "If we can understand what metabolic changes happen along a gradient of iron deficiency, then we might be able to identify signatures of a modest iron deficiency in humans," said lead researcher Dennis J. Thiele, Ph.D., who is the George Barth Geller Professor of the Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, "We could head it off at the pass." "This basic science discovery in yeast sheds important new light on how humans may respond to iron deficiency, which is the most common nutritional disorder," said Duke School of Medicine Dean Nancy C. Andrews, an expert in human diseases of iron metabolism. The findings, published in the June issue of Cell Metabolism, are also potentially important for those studying diabetes. "Evidence is growing that if there is an iron imbalance in the beta cells of the pancreas, these cells won't produce insulin properly," Thiele said. "Now we know what happens in yeast in terms of glucose (sugar) utilization. We need to lea Continue reading >>
The Diabetes And Anemia Connection
Anemia is defined as a low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin concentration, though other indications in a CBC (Complete Blood Count) can also suggest this, including the MCV (mean corpuscular volume) and MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) levels. If the MCV and/or MCH are high, it indicates macrocytic anemia, usually caused by either low B12 or low folate. If MCV and/or MCH are low, it indicates iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of Anemia Symptoms of either type of anemia include: A rapid heart beat (tachycardia) Shortness of breath Difficulty concentrating. The Diabetes and Iron Deficiency Anemia Connection It’s common to see elevation of ferritin, the storage form of iron, in cases of insulin resistance and diabetes. This is because ferritin is also considered an acute phase reactant, which means it spikes in the presence of inflammation. Ferritin is primarily stored in the liver, and it’s common for it to elevate in cases of fatty liver disease, which is strongly connected to insulin resistance. However, serum iron levels tend to fall in diabetic patients—there’s an inverse correlation between iron levels and HbA1c (a measurement of where the glucose has been over the last 3 months). There are several possible reasons for this. Kidney complications. Elevated blood sugar will, over time, damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys in the same way that it can damage the vessels anywhere else (leading to cardiovascular disease). Smaller vessels show damage first, which is why kidney damage is one of the “side effects” of diabetes to watch out for. The significance here: the kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin, which tells bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Underperforming kidneys will also decrease production of erythropoietin, leading to a Continue reading >>
Anemia & Glucose
Anemia refers to a range of problems with your red blood cells. You may have heard it called "tired" blood because one of the major symptoms of anemia is fatigue. Your glucose, or blood sugar, can indirectly contribute to anemia in a few ways. One of the most common pathways is through your kidneys. Excessive glucose can clamp down on the production of a kidney hormone that triggers the production of red blood cells. If you're worried that you are anemic, talk with your health care provider about ways to treat and prevent the recurrence of the problem. Video of the Day Although there are about 400 different types of anemia, the condition generally means you have a lower than normal number of healthy red blood cells, or you have a lower than normal amount of hemoglobin inside your red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a protein that helps deliver oxygen to the tissues within your body. About two-thirds of all the iron in your body is found in hemoglobin, making iron deficiency one of the major causes of anemia, according to the Cleveland Clinic. About one-third of the global population suffers from iron-deficiency anemia. Glucose is more commonly known as blood sugar. It is a major source of energy and fuel for your cells. Your body creates blood sugar after breaking down nutrients from some of your digested food. In blood tests, it's normal to get a reading up to 100 mg/dL of glucose, says MedlinePlus. Serious illnesses, including prediabetes and diabetes, are diagnosed when you have too much glucose in your blood. Too much glucose in your blood means not enough energy is being supplied to your cells. Complications of excessive glucose can impair the functioning of your heart and kidneys, nerves and eyes. Problems with glucose do not cause anemia, but diabetics tend to have a Continue reading >>
Low Blood Sugar - Pernicious Anaemia Society | Healthunlocked
I have Pernicious Anaemia and have been struggling with symptoms returning earlier and earlier. I am now at 8 week intervals. I asked to see a haematologist. She was singularly unpleasant, and had a real problem with myself and my wife having obviously done some research and that as a result we were well informed. She grudgingly agreed that the blood tests are rubbish and not to be trusted and then in the same breath declared the reading to show me 'swamped with enough B12 to last 3 or 4 years'. My reading was in the 800's. She also said that even though I have enough to last 3 or 4 years, I should continue to have a jag every 8 weeks, so she seemed to be at odds with herself! She told me bluntly my returning symptoms were NOT due to B12 deficiency but were more likely to be low blood sugar. We decided we would be prudent and follow her advice to add, and spread, a few more calories into my diet, rather than dismiss what she was saying simply because she was so unpleasant. So, for the past 2 weeks I have done what she advised, and added a few more calories (about 300 a day) via nuts, lucazade and the odd biscuit. It certainly seemed to help but now I see that I have put 4 lbs on in weight and my 'fluttery' tummy is just beginning to come back again. My next jag is due in 1 week. Can anyone tell me if a lack of B12 is also capable of causing a drop in blood sugar? Continue reading >>
Nondiabetic Hypoglycemia
What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is the condition when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too low. It happens to people with diabetes when they have a mismatch of medicine, food, and/or exercise. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia, a rare condition, is low blood glucose in people who do not have diabetes. There are two kinds of non-diabetic hypoglycemia: Reactive hypoglycemia, which happens within a few hours of eating a meal Fasting hypoglycemia, which may be related to a disease Glucose is the main source of energy for your body and brain. It comes from what we eat and drink. Insulin, a hormone, helps keep blood glucose at normal levels so your body can work properly. Insulin’s job is to help glucose enter your cells where it’s used for energy. If your glucose level is too low, you might not feel well. What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia? The two kinds of non-diabetic hypoglycemia have different causes. Researchers are still studying the causes of reactive hypoglycemia. They know, however, that it comes from having too much insulin in the blood, leading to low blood glucose levels. Types of nondiabetic hypoglycemia Reactive hypoglycemia Having pre-diabetes or being at risk for diabetes, which can lead to trouble making the right amount of insulin Stomach surgery, which can make food pass too quickly into your small intestine Rare enzyme deficiencies that make it hard for your body to break down food Fasting hypoglycemia Medicines, such as salicylates (such as aspirin), sulfa drugs (an antibiotic), pentamidine (to treat a serious kind of pneumonia), quinine (to treat malaria) Alcohol, especially with binge drinking Serious illnesses, such as those affecting the liver, heart, or kidneys Low levels of certain hormones, such as cortisol, growth hormone, glu Continue reading >>
