“Does uncontrolled diabetes cause low hemoglobin?”
My mother has been suffering from uncontrolled diabetes for the last 5ish years. Lately her hemoglobin levels are also very low. Is there a connection between the two?
9 Answers
Diabetes does not cause low hemoglobin or anemia, while other conditions like iron deficiency, chronic kidney disease, certain medications, infections, bleeding, and blood cancers can. Your mom needs to be evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.
Diabetes doesn’t typically cause anemia, but can be associated with anemia if there is a chronic infection, such as a bone infection, or chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or chronic kidney disease where blood production can be reduced or in association with internal bleeding. It requires investigation when present.
There is little information here. Age, kidney function, menstrual function. But let’s say that the diabetes has truly lasted only five years and there are no other medical problems whatsoever, then no, the diabetes does not cause anemia.
People who have uncontrolled diabetes can have impaired kidney function, which can then lead to lower hemoglobin. There are other causes of low hemoglobin such as bleeding or other chronic diseases, and should be investigated further
Yes when it causes kidney disease
There is typically no connection between Diabetes and low hemoglobin. Some chronic conditions can cause low hemoglobin but this should be checked with the primary doctor as soon as possible to make sure nothing serious is causing this new problem.
Dr Strizhevsky
Dr Strizhevsky
No link usually. The low Hb has another cause.
I would investigate other causes of low hemoglobin like bleeding before concluding it’s from poorly controlled diabetes.
There could be, but probably not. Low hemoglobin occurs from bleeding, lack of iron intake, vit. B12 deficiency, and a few other causes. It could be due to more metabolism from poor diabetic control, but this is rare. First, get her iron levels checked. In the elderly, the diet is often not good with iron-containing foods, so low iron and thus low hemoglobin (since it requires iron for its make-up) is common. Have her Dr. begin by checking her iron levels as well other tests related to iron. If normal, then look for other causes. Finally, get her diabetes under control. I don't know how old she is, but at any age, high blood sugar can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, nerves, eyes, etc., so get it under control.
