Autoimmune Diseases Associated with Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which your body has a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. Anemia can result from a number of causes, including certain autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are caused when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues.
Hemolytic Anemia
Hemolytic anemia is a type of anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells. It can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome. In these conditions, the body's immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly attack and destroy red blood cells.
Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare blood disorder in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys platelets, which are blood cells that help with clotting. TTP is often associated with anemia, and can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren's syndrome.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a type of anemia caused by the body's immune system attacking and destroying its own red blood cells. AIHA can be caused by a number of autoimmune conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a type of thrombocytopenic purpura caused by the body's immune system attacking and destroying its own platelets. ITP is often associated with anemia and can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.
