Anemia is a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulation. Because RBCs carry the oxygen your body needs to function, anemia can affect one's ability to stay awake, alert, and perform physical activities. Anemia may happen for several reasons, including increased RBC destruction. Anemia often occurs in people who have been in bed for long periods (e.g., if they are very sick) or have decreased mobility (anemia of immobility). Interestingly, astronauts who have left Earth and traveled in space also return anemic. In fact, 5 decades of NASA data showed that astronauts' anemia was more severe the longer they were in space. In another study, astronauts aboard the International Space Station were shown to destroy 54% more of their RBCs in space. RBC destruction may be the culprit of space anemia as well as anemia of immobility on Earth. The ANEMIA Study proposes to measure key aspects of RBC destruction in astronauts in space. These measures will test critical hypotheses on the effects of spaceflight on red blood cells.
Age range
24 Years – 55 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Hemolysis in astronauts is assessed using exhaled breath samples.
Timeframe: Before spaceflight.
Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed during spaceflight using exhaled breath samples.
Timeframe: Baseline and during spaceflight.
Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed after spaceflight, up to 1 month, using exhaled breath samples.
Timeframe: After spaceflight, up to 1 month.
Hemolysis in astronauts is assessed using blood markers CBC, reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin (total+direct), LDH, ferritin, iron, and TIBC.
Timeframe: Before spaceflight.
Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed during spaceflight using blood markers CBC, reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin (total+direct), LDH, ferritin, iron, and TIBC.
Timeframe: Baseline and during spaceflight.
Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed after spaceflight, up to 1 month, using blood markers CBC, reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin (total+direct), LDH, ferritin, iron, and TIBC.
Timeframe: After spaceflight, up to 1 month.