A 60-year-old female with a history of chronic kidney disease presents with fatigue. Her blood test shows a hemoglobin of 9.5 g/dL, and her serum creatinine is elevated. What could be the potential causes, and what are the next steps?
This patient likely has anemia of chronic disease, also known as anemia of inflammation, which is common in people with chronic illnesses, including chronic kidney disease. In kidney disease, the kidneys don't make enough erythropoietin, leading to decreased red blood cell production. The next step would be to manage her anemia possibly with iron supplementation, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or blood transfusions depending on severity.