Is anemia of chronic renal failure related to secondary hyperparathyroidism?

A pathogenetic role of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the anemia of chronic renal failure has been suggested. To investigate this relationship, the biochemical factors of secondary hyperparathyroidism (calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone) were correlated with hematocrit levels in 96 long-term hemodialysis patients. We also compared hematocrit values before and after parathyroidectomy in 18 patients. No correlation between hematocrit level and biochemical indices of secondary hyperparathyroidism could be found. However, in 44% of the patients with parathyroidectomies, the hematocrit reading increased after surgery. The importance and possible cause of this improvement of anemia in this group is discussed.