Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem with an increasing incidence year by year. It is characterized by insidious onset and hard to be noticed at the beginning. With the gradual loss of kidney function, a variety of acute and chronic complications follow, including electrolyte disorders, heart failure, anemia, mineral metabolism disorders, and others. Recent studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is involved not only in the regulation of mineral metabolism, but also in iron deficiency, inflammation, and the functions of erythropoietin and hypoxia-inducible factor. Anemia is a potent driver of FGF23, and FGF23 is negatively correlated with erythropoiesis in CKD patients. A comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanism of FGF23 is helpful for the treatment of renal anemia.