| Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a | | | | comprehensive natural medicine testing, the |
| drop in the number of red blood cells due to | | | | reasons the body is producing antibodies |
| a problem with the body's defense (immune) | | | | against itself can be found. Some of these |
| system. | | | | reasons include sensitivities or allergies to |
| | | | foods, inhalants and chemicals and various |
| Folic acid deficiency anemia. Folic acid is a | | | | infections. |
| member of the vitamin B family. It is used in | | | | |
| the production of new red blood cells. Some | | | | Diagnosis |
| people do not get enough folic acid in their | | | | |
| normal diet, so their bodies are unable to | | | | Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, |
| produce enough red blood cells. In other | | | | medications, and medical history, and perform |
| cases, the body may not be able to properly | | | | a physical exam. You will most likely be |
| use the folic acid eaten. | | | | referred to a hematologist. |
| | | | |
| Causes | | | | Tests may include the following: |
| | | | |
| Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an | | | | Extensive blood testing |
| acquired disease that occurs when antibodies | | | | |
| form against a person's own red blood cells. | | | | Urinalysis |
| In the idiopathic form of this disease, the | | | | |
| cause is unknown. | | | | Treatment |
| | | | |
| There are other types of immune hemolytic | | | | In cases where symptoms of autoimmune |
| anemias where the cause may result from an | | | | hemolytic anemia are mild, or when the |
| underlying disease or medication. Idiopathic | | | | destruction of red blood cells seems to be |
| autoimmune hemolytic anemia accounts for | | | | decreasing on its own, individuals may not |
| one-half of all immune hemolytic anemias. The | | | | require any medical treatment. |
| onset of the disease may be quite rapid and | | | | |
| very serious. | | | | However, in cases when anemia is caused by an |
| | | | underlying source, such as mononucleosis or |
| Symptoms | | | | viral medications used to treat mono, |
| | | | treatment will usually involve dealing with |
| Symptoms in AIHA vary according to the | | | | this underlying cause. Treatment may also |
| severity of the condition. Common symptoms | | | | involve taking immune system suppressant |
| include fever, fatigue, pale skin, weakness, | | | | drugs such as steroids or gamma globulin to |
| dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, | | | | help suppress the system's attack of red |
| intolerance to physical activity, enlarged | | | | blood cells. |
| liver, increased heart rate and heart murmur. | | | | |
| When RBC destruction is rapid, mild jaundice, | | | | The most frequent course of therapy for AIHA |
| a yellowing of the skin and eyes associated | | | | is the administration of high doses of |
| with dark urine can occur. If RBC destruction | | | | corticosteroids such as prednisone, which |
| persists for extended periods, the spleen can | | | | have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and |
| become enlarged, causing symptoms of | | | | immunosupressive action that impairs |
| abdominal fullness or bloating. | | | | functions of various components of the immune |
| | | | system. Once the disease is in remission, low |
| When the cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia | | | | dose, intermittent therapy is continued for |
| is another disease, symptoms of the | | | | several months. Some dogs, however, do not |
| underlying disease, such as swollen and | | | | respond to corticosteroid treatment and |
| tender lymph nodes and fever, may dominate. | | | | require more potent immunosuppressive drugs |
| | | | that are often combined with corticosteroid |
| Conventional medical treatments may help | | | | treatment. Such drugs include cytotoxic |
| relieve the symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic | | | | agents such as azathioprine and |
| anemia but they do not address the root of | | | | cyclophosphamide. |
| the problem. Generally, by undergoing | | | | |