What are the causes of anemia in cirrhosis?

Jul 03, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My older brother was diagnosed with cirrhosis last week, and he has now also been found to have mild anemia. I would like to understand what are the causes of anemia in cirrhosis patients?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The main causes of anemia in liver cirrhosis include: 1. **Hypersplenism**: Liver cirrhosis often leads to splenomegaly and hypersplenism, which accelerate the destruction of red blood cells, resulting in reduced blood cells and red blood cells, decreased hemoglobin levels, and consequently anemia. 2. **Malnutrition**: In the late stages, cirrhosis patients frequently develop gastrointestinal complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, which impair nutrient absorption and lead to insufficient raw materials for blood cell production, causing anemia. 3. **Concurrent infections**: Patients with liver cirrhosis are prone to infections such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. These infections may impair bone marrow hematopoietic function, leading to anemia. 4. **Vitamin deficiency**: Impaired liver metabolism in cirrhosis affects the absorption and utilization of nutrients like vitamin B12 and folic acid, potentially causing nutritional megaloblastic anemia. 5. **Lipid metabolism disorders**: Cirrhosis patients are susceptible to lipid metabolism disturbances. When abnormal lipids enter the plasma, they may cause hemolysis and induce anemia.