Erythropoietin insufficiency |
There is an age-associated decline in GFR and presumably a corresponding reduction in erythropoietin response. |
Diabetes, hypertension, and chronic inflammation have been associated with reduction in erythropoietin response and anemia. |
Cytokine inhibition of erythropoiesis |
Certain proinflammatory cytokines, most notably IL-6, are elevated in serum and tissue sections with advancing age. |
Inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer, are associated with the presence of increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. |
Androgen decline (both males and females) |
Androgens support erythropoiesis and declining levels with advancing age. |
Certain diseases are associated with decline in testosterone. Furthermore, anti-androgen therapy as treatment for prostate cancer is associated with a drop in hemoglobin of 1 g/dL. |
Stem cell function |
Hematopoietic stem cells decline in both replicative and proliferative capacity with age. |
Certain diseases and/or treatments will inhibit the proliferative capacity of stem cells. |
Myelodysplasia |
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A disease process and NOT a component of normal aging. To the extent that it may present with anemia (without the other features such as neutropenia or thrombocytopenia) it will account for some component of UA. |