Anemia of Inflammation

Overview

Most cases are genetic, caused by mutations in the HFE gene, which regulates how much iron the intestines absorb. The most common mutation is C282Y, and people who inherit two copies (one from each parent) are at the highest risk of developing hereditary hemochromatosis.

Common Conditions Linked to This Type of Anemia

Many long‑term medical conditions can lead to anemia of inflammation. These include:

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
Long‑term infections
Chronic kidney disease, cancer, heart failure, chronic lung disease, and obesity—all shown to increase inflammation in the body.

Because this type of anemia develops slowly, many people may not notice symptoms right away.

Symptoms

Some people have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

Fatigue or low energy

Pale skin

Shortness of breath

Dizziness or headache

Heart palpitations

These are like symptoms seen in many types of anemia.

How We Diagnose It

Your provider may order several blood tests to understand what is causing the anemia. These may include:

Complete Blood Count (CBC) to look at hemoglobin and red blood cell size
Iron studies such as ferritin, serum iron, transferrin/TIBC, and transferrin saturation
Reticulocyte count to see how actively your bone marrow is making new red blood cells

Why tests like stool studies or a colonoscopy might be ordered

These tests do not diagnose anemia of inflammation. Instead, they help rule out hidden blood loss or iron‑deficiency anemia when your provider needs more information.

How This Condition Is Treated

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying medical condition causing inflammation. As that condition improves, the anemia often improves as well.

Other treatment options may include:

medications that help your body make more red blood cells (used in select cases, such as certain kidney or cancer‑related conditions).

considered in special situations, such as when anemia of inflammation occurs along with true iron deficiency.

used only when necessary, based on symptoms and anemia severity.

Important: Do not start iron supplements on your own. Iron is often not helpful in anemia of inflammation unless you also have iron‑deficiency anemia.

Living With Anemia of Inflammation

While your care team works on treating the underlying condition, the following habits may help:erly managed. Ongoing care includes:

Balance rest and activity

short walks and gentle movement can improve energy, while too much bed rest may worsen fatigue.

Eat well and stay hydrated

your doctor or a dietitian can recommend foods high in protein and nutrients to support overall health.

When To See Your Provider

Contact your care team right away if you experience:

Chest Pain

Feeling faint or passing out

Shortness of breath that gets worse

A racing or irregular heartbeat

Any new or heavy bleeding

These are signs that your anemia—or the condition causing it—needs urgent attention.

Questions You May Want to Ask During Your Visit

What do my lab results tell us about the cause of my anemia?
Do I also have iron deficiency?
Could medications like ESAs or IV iron help me?
What symptoms should I watch for at home?
How often should we recheck my blood counts?

Outlook & Follow-Up

Anemia of inflammation is usually mild to moderate and often improves as the underlying condition is treated. Your care team will guide you on how often your blood counts need to be monitored and what to expect along the way.

Why Choose Illinois CancerCare

A blood disorder diagnosis can feel overwhelming. At Illinois CancerCare, we are committed to ensuring you never have to face it alone. Providing advanced, comprehensive hematology and oncology care for our patients is at the heart of everything we do. Since 1977, our specialists have focused on individualized, evidence-based treatment plans, access to world-class clinical trials, and thorough follow-up. With Illinois CancerCare, you can move forward with confidence knowing trusted expertise and compassionate support are always close to home‑based treatment plans, access to world‑class clinical trials, and thorough follow‑up.

Sources & Patient Friendly References

Information sourced from Mayo Clinic, ASH (American Society of Hematology), and NCI (National Cancer Institute).