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Low Hemoglobin, WBC And Iron Levels. Had Diarrhea. Advised To Meet An Oncologist. Why?
Question: Hi, I just got bloodwork back. My dr is sending me to XXXXXXX Oncology to speak with a specialist. My hemogloin was 8.9, WBC was 3.1 and iron was 11. Before the test I had diarrhea for several days. Would that explain the low results? What are options to fix anemia? Are my numbers extreemly low or could they be fixed with diet?
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for writing in,
First of all, diarrhoea can actually show high Haemoglobin and counts since only fluids are lost in stools and it causes hemo-concentration.
Low haemoglobin with low serum iron indicates Iron deficiency anaemia. But there is also associated low WBC count cause of which needs to be evaluated. Some infection like typhoid, viral and parasitic infections can cause low WBC count.
I would like to know the platelet count and RBC count. If all cell lines (RBC, WBC, platelets) are reduced, causes will be different.
Anaemia is very common in women since they lose blood in menstrual flow. Up to 10mg/dl can improve with diet. Less than 10mg/dl needs iron supplementation.
Options to treat anaemia are:
Dietary-
-Diet XXXXXXX in iron like XXXXXXX leafy vegetables, drumstick, lentils, can be consumed,
-Jaggery can be used as sweetener in coffee, tea instead of sugar,
-Diet XXXXXXX in Vitamin C like citrus fruits, guava, papaya can facilitate iron absorption,
-Non veg diet is very effective form for absorption.
Medicines:
-Oral iron therapy for at least 3-4 months improves iron levels in blood,
-Iron tablets and capsules with effective iron of 60mg are available.
If still the Iron and Hb levels don’t improve we can go for injection forms and there might be underling cause for this like bleeding peptic ulcer, increased menstrual flow etc., cause of which needs to be treated along with treating anaemia.
In your case you need to take oral iron therapy with nutritional supplementation in diet.
Kindly visit your physician and get the medicines prescribed.
If you have any queries, I'll be happy to help you.
Wishing you good health and happiness.
Thank you for writing in,
First of all, diarrhoea can actually show high Haemoglobin and counts since only fluids are lost in stools and it causes hemo-concentration.
Low haemoglobin with low serum iron indicates Iron deficiency anaemia. But there is also associated low WBC count cause of which needs to be evaluated. Some infection like typhoid, viral and parasitic infections can cause low WBC count.
I would like to know the platelet count and RBC count. If all cell lines (RBC, WBC, platelets) are reduced, causes will be different.
Anaemia is very common in women since they lose blood in menstrual flow. Up to 10mg/dl can improve with diet. Less than 10mg/dl needs iron supplementation.
Options to treat anaemia are:
Dietary-
-Diet XXXXXXX in iron like XXXXXXX leafy vegetables, drumstick, lentils, can be consumed,
-Jaggery can be used as sweetener in coffee, tea instead of sugar,
-Diet XXXXXXX in Vitamin C like citrus fruits, guava, papaya can facilitate iron absorption,
-Non veg diet is very effective form for absorption.
Medicines:
-Oral iron therapy for at least 3-4 months improves iron levels in blood,
-Iron tablets and capsules with effective iron of 60mg are available.
If still the Iron and Hb levels don’t improve we can go for injection forms and there might be underling cause for this like bleeding peptic ulcer, increased menstrual flow etc., cause of which needs to be treated along with treating anaemia.
In your case you need to take oral iron therapy with nutritional supplementation in diet.
Kindly visit your physician and get the medicines prescribed.
If you have any queries, I'll be happy to help you.
Wishing you good health and happiness.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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