Disclosed are methods for treating conditions characterized by anemia or red blood cells dysfunction by administering an agent that increases the level of endogenous LCAT or LCAT activity. Additionally disclosed are methods of treating conditions wherein red blood cells have reduced function in relation to deformability, oxygenation, increased adhesion and aggregability, reduced nitric oxide function, or decreased life-span, increased free cholesterol, or abnormal concentration of free cholesterol in red blood cells and methods of normalizing the free cholesterol content of red blood cells.
