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Suggest Treatment For Low Hemoglobin Level
Question: I went for a physical last week and told my doctor I thought I was anemic. After bloodwork, my hemoglobin was a 6.6. He recommended a transfusion of 2 units, which I got 2 days later. After the transfusion, my hemo went up to 7.9. He has me on B-12 1000 mcg, 5000 units vitamin D and 325mg Ferrous Sulfate. he wants me to be tested again in 1 week to see how much my level improves. How much can I expect it to go up? at what number will he still want me to get another transfusion?
Brief Answer:
Within a month 1-2g%. So around 10g% Hb level
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Jyothi BL and I will be answering your query.
Based on your clinical details and query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Hemoglobin of 6.6g% is low and it warrants transfusion of packed blood cells in conditions where the patient is dyspneic (difficulty in breathing) or with cardiac failure. However, you have been transfused and the hemoglobin is improved. Its good. I would advise transfusion of packed red cells, in a patient without cardiac abnormalities or severe dyspnea, only when the hemoglobin is below 4g%.
2. I do not expect hemoglobin to improve within a week with nutritional supplements. It will take around a month for 1-2g% hemoglobin improvement with supplements. You can get a reticulocyte count test after 15 days. If its increasing, means you will improve over 2-3 months back to normal levels of 13-15g% with regular treatment.
3. Your doctor possibly wants to check for any hemoglobin reduction possibly after a week. In some conditions, hemoglobin will fall due to hemolysis. However, I do not expect with you now. You need not worry about a variation (drop or rise) of 0.5-1g% during your follow up.
4. Another transfusion not necessary now. As I told you earlier, if you have no specific symptoms like breathlessness or cardiac problems, you need not worry about having any transfusion. Blood transfusions have there own complications and should be used only in extreme circumstances.
Take your supplements regularly and also improve your diet with fish, egg, pulses, green leafy vegetables and red meat. It should help you improve you sooner.
Not to worry.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Within a month 1-2g%. So around 10g% Hb level
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Jyothi BL and I will be answering your query.
Based on your clinical details and query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Hemoglobin of 6.6g% is low and it warrants transfusion of packed blood cells in conditions where the patient is dyspneic (difficulty in breathing) or with cardiac failure. However, you have been transfused and the hemoglobin is improved. Its good. I would advise transfusion of packed red cells, in a patient without cardiac abnormalities or severe dyspnea, only when the hemoglobin is below 4g%.
2. I do not expect hemoglobin to improve within a week with nutritional supplements. It will take around a month for 1-2g% hemoglobin improvement with supplements. You can get a reticulocyte count test after 15 days. If its increasing, means you will improve over 2-3 months back to normal levels of 13-15g% with regular treatment.
3. Your doctor possibly wants to check for any hemoglobin reduction possibly after a week. In some conditions, hemoglobin will fall due to hemolysis. However, I do not expect with you now. You need not worry about a variation (drop or rise) of 0.5-1g% during your follow up.
4. Another transfusion not necessary now. As I told you earlier, if you have no specific symptoms like breathlessness or cardiac problems, you need not worry about having any transfusion. Blood transfusions have there own complications and should be used only in extreme circumstances.
Take your supplements regularly and also improve your diet with fish, egg, pulses, green leafy vegetables and red meat. It should help you improve you sooner.
Not to worry.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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