Adapted from BMJ 14 June 2025
Diabetes increases the likelihood of anaemia of various types. Iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and anaemia of chronic disease were three to five times more common in people with diagnosed diabetes than those with normoglycaemia.
Renal complications and decreased erythropoietin production may be part of the explanation.
The study was part of the UK Biobank Study.
Another longitudinal study of apolipoprotein in the development of cardiovascular disease found that blood glucose levels are also linked to the development of aortic stenosis.
As blood levels rise, so does the risk. After 25 years of having diabetes, the average onset of aortic stenosis doubles compared to those with normal glucose levels.
My comment: Because diabetics get many more regular blood tests than the usual GP population, one would imagine that even if you do get anaemia, that this can be detected and treated earlier.
Diabetes Diet 