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One of the many important functions of the kidneys is to produce a hormone called erythropoietin (e-rith-roh-POH-e-tin). Erythropoietin controls the production of red blood cells. When the kidneys detect low levels of oxygen in the blood, they respond by making more erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
When your kidneys can no longer perform this function normally, the number of red blood cells declines and you become anemic.2
Most people who have reduced kidney function develop anemia. This is because the main cause of renal anemia is reduced production of erythropoietin, and the kidneys are responsible for making this hormone.2 Reduced kidney function is very common in many patients with diabetes, hypertension, lupus, or certain inherited disorders.5
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