4. Immune System Problems
The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. However, when the immune system is not functioning properly, it can attack healthy cells and tissues in the body, including red blood cells. This can lead to several types of anemia, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia and aplastic anemia.
In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroy red blood cells. Antibodies are proteins that are normally produced by the immune system to target foreign invaders, but in this case, they mistakenly identify healthy red blood cells as foreign and attack them. As a result, the body becomes deficient in red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Aplastic anemia occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the bone marrow, where red blood cells are produced. The bone marrow contains stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. When the immune system attacks the bone marrow, it can prevent the production of these blood cells, leading to anemia.
Immune system problems can cause anemia by attacking and destroying red blood cells, interfering with the production of these cells, or preventing the absorption of iron needed for their production. (4)
