Aranesp for AIHA, from Med. Adv.

[Guest guest]

I was interested in what Arthur recently said about Aranesp:

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I've had CLL diagnosed for 10 years and I'm a 75-yr old in vigorous health but I do get Aranesp about every 3 weks to keep my hemoglobin over 13, as I have autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by the underlying CLL. I'm treated at UCLA.

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As I have also had autoimmune problems, I asked our MA. Here's the response:

Aranesp is typically not useful for autoimmune hemolytic anemias as the defect is not with decreased red blood cell production, but rather with increased destruction. There might be a few patients who have multiple defects, but typically, the Aranesp does not add anything except cost. The most important thing for red blood cell production is folic acid (folate).

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All I can say is "good for you, Arthur, if it's working!"