What is anemia of chronic disease?
Anemia of chronic disease is a normocytic anemia driven by chronic inflammation suppressing erythropoiesis and limiting iron availability.
Full answer
Anemia of chronic disease occurs in chronic infection, autoimmune disease, malignancy, and chronic kidney disease. The mechanism involves hepcidin-driven iron sequestration and inflammatory suppression of erythropoietin response. Iron studies typically show low serum iron with low TIBC and elevated or normal ferritin (ferritin is an acute-phase reactant). Differentiating from iron deficiency anemia hinges on ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin saturation patterns. Within oMeds review, the broader inflammation picture (hs-CRP, ESR) and underlying cause take precedence over isolated supplementation.
Educational. Not a substitute for individualized provider review.
- Ferritin — Primary source · oMeds
- Reviewed by Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA · Clinical Director, oMeds · Last reviewed 2026-05-29