Body System7 connections · 1 source
Red Blood Cell Production
The kidneys produce erythropoietin, the hormone that signals bone marrow to make red blood cells. When kidney function declines in chronic-kidney-disease, erythropoietin production drops, leading to anemia. This is monitored via hematocrit and packed cell volume (PCV) in blood-work.
Key Facts
- Erythropoietin is the key regulatory hormone
- Kidney-produced; deficient in CKD
- Anemia becomes clinically relevant at CKD Stage III+
- Severe anemia may require blood transfusion
- Polycythemia (excess red blood cells) is a separate condition that can cause hypertension
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (7)
Related Conditions
Chronic Kidney DiseaseCondition
Failing kidneys cannot produce enough erythropoietin.
HypertensionCondition
Polycythemia (opposite of anemia) is a cause of high blood pressure.
PolycythemiaCondition
Represents the pathological overactivity of this physiological process.
Renal AnemiaCondition
EPO drives red blood cell production in bone marrow