Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), there are four main types of anemia:

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia, according to the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia). It occurs when someone does not produce enough iron — and, therefore, not enough red blood cells (RBCs) — due to a poor diet or loss of blood. Patients can also develop anemia if they need more RBCs than their body is currently producing, which happens during adolescent growth spurts and pregnancy.

Vitamin-deficiency anemia is also the result of a poor diet, in this case diets deficient in folic acid or vitamin B12. A specific vitamin-deficiency anemia, known as pernicious anemia, occurs due to an issue with absorption of vitamin B12.

Aplastic anemia is due to bone marrow disorders, which can either be genetic or caused by toxins or medications, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Hemolytic anemia is another form of anemia that can be acquired or inherited. People with hemolytic anemia cannot produce RBCs fast enough to replace ones that die off, which typically occurs over a 120-day period. Sickle cell anemia, where a patient produces misshapen RBCs that block blood circulation, is a type of inherited hemolytic anemia.