Treatment of Anemia

By Evan M. Braunstein, MD, PhD, Instructor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: Click here for the Consumer Version

Approach to the Patient With Anemia
Red Blood Cell Production
Etiology of Anemia
Evaluation of Anemia
Treatment of Anemia

(See also Etiology of Anemia and Evaluation of Anemia.)

When possible, the cause of the anemia is treated. When the hemoglobin (Hb) falls dangerously low (eg, < 7 g/dL for patients without cardiopulmonary insufficiency or higher for patients with it), RBC transfusion temporarily increases oxygen-carrying capacity. RBC transfusion should be reserved for patients

With or at high risk of cardiopulmonary symptoms
With active, uncontrollable blood loss
With some form of hypoxic or ischemic end-organ failure (eg, neurologic ischemic symptoms, angina, tachycardia in patients with underlying heart failure or severe COPD)