Another possible cause of anemia is disease. The kidneys produce a hormone that stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells. If diseased kidneys do not make enough of the hormone, then the bones are not stimulated to make enough red blood cells.

If the client has a bone disease, such as cancer, red blood cell production can also be limited. So the health of organs, such as the kidneys and bones, is another possible cause of anemia.

Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are two genetic blood disorders that affect red blood production. Both of these genetic disorders would cause a low hemoglobin value.

Recent or current infection or chronic inflammation can result in low hemoglobin levels, too.

On the next page, we'll discuss another possible cause of anemia, blood loss.