Which type of anemia is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease?

Normocytic anemia is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease due to the decreased production of erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. When kidney function declines, erythropoietin production is reduced, leading to a lower red blood cell count. This type of anemia is characterized by red blood cells that are of normal size (normocytic) but are fewer in number.

In chronic kidney disease, other factors such as the accumulation of uremic toxins and the underlying disease processes can also contribute to the development of anemia. The focus is primarily on the inadequate red blood cell production rather than issues of cell destruction or iron deficiency, which are related to other forms of anemia. Thus, normocytic anemia is a direct consequence of the impaired erythropoietin production in the context of kidney disease.