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How Is Low Hemoglobin Levels Treated In Men ?
Question: Dear Ask the Doctor,
I am 76 year old male from India. I have low haemoglobin for the last one year. My current haemoglobin is 8.4 g/dl. I had advance prostate cancer and I have taken radiation for the same which started in January 11 and finished in February end. I have also taken 5 shots of Zoladex injection i.e. Hormone therapy. In March 2011, I had Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus HZO to my left eye. I have taken 108 tablet of Acyclovir 800 mg so far. My infection is gone now but I have PHN Post herpetic neuralgia where I have acute pain and unable to sleep. So my doctor prescribed me Tryptoner (Amitriptyline) and Tegritol (carbamazepine) tablets for the said problem which I have been taking since April 2011. I am also taking Galfer (Ferrous Fumarate) syrup 10 mg twice since March 2011. I have taken an IV of Orofer Iron Sucrose on Dec 2010 and last in July 2011. Doctor I have two questions. Are the above medicines/treatments causing anaemia, low haemoglobin or blood loss? After taking so much healthy diet and supplements why it is not raising? I am worried and desperately waiting for your answer.
Thank you.
Regards,
Anil
I am 76 year old male from India. I have low haemoglobin for the last one year. My current haemoglobin is 8.4 g/dl. I had advance prostate cancer and I have taken radiation for the same which started in January 11 and finished in February end. I have also taken 5 shots of Zoladex injection i.e. Hormone therapy. In March 2011, I had Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus HZO to my left eye. I have taken 108 tablet of Acyclovir 800 mg so far. My infection is gone now but I have PHN Post herpetic neuralgia where I have acute pain and unable to sleep. So my doctor prescribed me Tryptoner (Amitriptyline) and Tegritol (carbamazepine) tablets for the said problem which I have been taking since April 2011. I am also taking Galfer (Ferrous Fumarate) syrup 10 mg twice since March 2011. I have taken an IV of Orofer Iron Sucrose on Dec 2010 and last in July 2011. Doctor I have two questions. Are the above medicines/treatments causing anaemia, low haemoglobin or blood loss? After taking so much healthy diet and supplements why it is not raising? I am worried and desperately waiting for your answer.
Thank you.
Regards,
Anil
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query. Three possibilities are there for your low hemoglobin which is not rising inspite of good diet and iron supplementation.
1) If there is any anemia in a male, then the first possibility that comes to mind is of blood loss from any site. It can be due to blood in the stools, duodenal or stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids or liver disease.
2) Secondly more than these drugs that you are taking radiation therapy for any cancer is bone marrow suppressing and effect the red cell production. This could be a reason for the low hemoglobin count and hence anemia.
3) Third possibility is of course these drugs which you are taking i.e. amitriptyline and carbamazepine. Both can cause aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, bone marrow depression and thrombocytopenia. This is least possible as you have started on them recently.
An Anemia profile make things much more clear. You can consult your regular physician and get this done to rule out causes and thereby instituting appropriate therapy.
At this age the absorption of Iron is difficult when compared to younger ones.
You can get these drugs changed to other pain killers like centrally acting pain killers like Tramadol after consulting your doctor. But keep in mind that Tramadol can be addictive; hence take it only for the prescribed period.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Thanks for posting your query. Three possibilities are there for your low hemoglobin which is not rising inspite of good diet and iron supplementation.
1) If there is any anemia in a male, then the first possibility that comes to mind is of blood loss from any site. It can be due to blood in the stools, duodenal or stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids or liver disease.
2) Secondly more than these drugs that you are taking radiation therapy for any cancer is bone marrow suppressing and effect the red cell production. This could be a reason for the low hemoglobin count and hence anemia.
3) Third possibility is of course these drugs which you are taking i.e. amitriptyline and carbamazepine. Both can cause aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, bone marrow depression and thrombocytopenia. This is least possible as you have started on them recently.
An Anemia profile make things much more clear. You can consult your regular physician and get this done to rule out causes and thereby instituting appropriate therapy.
At this age the absorption of Iron is difficult when compared to younger ones.
You can get these drugs changed to other pain killers like centrally acting pain killers like Tramadol after consulting your doctor. But keep in mind that Tramadol can be addictive; hence take it only for the prescribed period.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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