Women, Anemia and HIV/AIDS

Women and Anemia

The most common type of anemia in the US is iron deficiency anemia, which is caused by a shortage of iron. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to 6 million women between 15 and 49 years old are iron deficient, and almost half of these women will develop iron deficiency anemia. Worldwide, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and has negative effects on both women and children.

Women are especially likely to develop iron deficiency anemia for several reasons. First, women aged 12 to 49 lose blood approximately once a month during their periods. Iron is needed to make the new blood that replaces the blood lost with each menstrual period. The risk of anemia is higher among women with periods that are especially long or include very heavy bleeding. Some women also lose iron from uterine fibroids that bleed slowly, or from bleeding caused by using intrauterine devices (IUDs) for birth control.

Second, women need extra iron during pregnancy for the proper development of their babies. In fact, pregnant women need 50 percent more iron than usual (27 mg per day instead of the usual 18mg per day). Women also lose blood during childbirth. It is important for women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant to have their iron levels checked and bring any symptoms of anemia to their health care providers' attention.

Diagnosis and Treatment

With diagnosis and treatment, the affects of anemia can be greatly reduced. Anemia is usually diagnosed by measuring HGB and hematocrit (HCT). HCT is the percentage of RBCs in the blood. HGB and HCT are measured as part of a routine blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC should be done as part of your regular health exams.

• HGB levels for women should be about 12 grams per deciliter (g/dL) – a HGB level of less than 6.5 g/dL is very dangerous and could be life-threatening.
• HCT levels for women should be 35 percent to 46 percent.

The treatment for anemia depends on the cause:

• If bleeding is the cause of the problem, the source of the bleeding should be found and controlled.
• If iron levels are low, as they often are in women, your health care provider will suggest ways to increase the amount of iron in your blood. You may be able to change your diet to include foods with a lot of iron. Iron is found in dark, leafy greens (collards, spinach, kale, chard), red meat, beans (chickpeas, lentils, soybeans), seafood (mollusks such as oysters, clams, scallops), and fortified bread and cereals. Taking iron tablets can also raise levels. Talk to your health care provider before taking extra iron.
• If your folic acid levels are low you may be able to add foods that contain folic acid to your diet. Folic acid is found in dark, leafy greens, asparagus, beans (e.g., lima beans, black beans, chickpeas, lentils), citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons, limes), and beef liver. You can also take folic acid tablets.
• If your vitamin B12 levels are low, you may need B12 injections or formulations of B12 you put under your tongue, no matter how much you get in your diet. This is because some people cannot absorb this vitamin from food or tablets.
• If a drug you are taking is causing anemia, it may be necessary to stop taking that drug. However, it is important not to stop taking a drug without first consulting your health care provider.
• When advanced HIV is the cause of anemia, HIV treatment may improve symptoms.

There are also medications that help your body make more red blood cells. These medications include the injectable drug erythropoietin or EPO (brand names Epogen and Procrit). Some people with severe anemia may need a blood transfusion. However, transfusions are a last resort.

Good communication with your health care provider will help determine the best treatment for you based on what is causing the anemia.

Taking Care of Yourself

Anemia is a common condition in HIV+ people, especially women. It can cause feelings of fatigue, lower your quality of life, and increase the chances that your HIV disease will get worse.

If you are feeling tired for unexplained reasons or experiencing any of the other symptoms listed above, talk to your health care provider. He or she can run tests to determine if anemia is the problem. If so, your health care provider will look for the cause and suggest treatment options. Treating anemia improves the health and survival of HIV+ people.