Warm
Harmful immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies
bind to and attack red blood cells at normal body temperature (98.6 °F).
For US Patients
What is wAIHA?
wAIHA is a rare disease.
It happens to ~1 in 8000 people. Anyone can get wAIHA, but it’s often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 50 and 70 years.
wAIHA stands for warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Let's break it down word by word.
Autoimmune
The immune system gets confused and attacks itself.
Hemolytic
Red blood cells get broken down and destroyed.
Hemoglobin
levels drop and may be below 10 g/dL. Normal levels vary but are generally between 12–17 g/dL.
Anemia
There are not enough healthy
red blood cells
to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Be wAIHA wise!
An attack on your red blood cells affects your hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part that carries oxygen. Levels below 10 g/dL may signal a need for treatment.
What's happening in your body
In wAIHA, your immune system mistakenly creates harmful
IgG
antibodies that target your red blood cells. This traps you in an ongoing cycle that can lead to symptoms like fatigue (extreme tiredness).
Your immune system gets confused
Your immune system protects you from invaders, like germs. Think of it as a bodyguard. But with wAIHA, the bodyguard gets confused. It starts creating harmful IgG antibodies, or attackers, that attach to your red blood cells.
The attackers mistake the good guys for the enemy
The harmful IgG antibodies mistakenly identify and tag your red blood cells as the bad guys.
Your red blood cells are then destroyed mainly in the spleen
Your red blood cells are sent to an organ called the spleen, where they are broken down. This leaves you with fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Symptoms of wAIHA appear
Hemoglobin levels then drop, which is the part of your red blood cell that carries oxygen to your body. This is why you may feel so tired or worn out (fatigue). Other symptoms may include dizziness, pale
skin, and shortness of breath.
skin, and shortness of breath.
Be wAIHA wise!
wAIHA is different from iron-deficiency anemia. Vitamins and diet can't fix it. Your body may need a medicine that targets your immune system. Talk to your healthcare provider about what may work for you.
Common symptoms of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA)
Not everyone with wAIHA has the same symptoms, and they can come and go. But for many people, low hemoglobin levels can cause some symptoms including, but not
limited to:
Fatigue
Weakness
Dizziness
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
More about fatigue
- Fatigue is more than just being tired. It can feel a little different for everyone, too. Your body may feel physically drained
- Your healthcare provider can recommend ways to manage fatigue. This may include certain suggestions for your lifestyle
- Consider discussing your symptoms, including fatigue, with your healthcare provider to help determine the right goals for managing your condition
- It may be helpful to write down or add notes to your phone to share at your next visit
Get personalized support tailored
to your unique needs
Once you and your healthcare provider have decided that IMAAVY is right for you, IMAAVY withMe is here for you and your loved ones with free personalized support when and where you may need it.
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