HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Is The Connection Between Low Red Blood Cells And Hypothyroidism?

hi-my 13 y/o daughter recently had a routine blood work done due to upcoming out patient surgery. Her rbc was low at 4.38 and her tsh was high at 5.62. She just recently was told that she had thyroid disease, but does not yet need to start medicine. She has not started her menstruation. Question: is there a connection btwn her low red blood cells and hypothyroidism? Secondly, are these labs okay to proceed with surgery? Thank you
Tue, 5 Aug 2014
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Hypothyroidism can cause anemia.
Anemia in hypothyroidism is due to low production of erythropoeitin.
Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by kidneys which is stimulating factor for red blood cell production.
Red blood cell count can be low in hypothyroidism.

TSH is raised and this is suggestive of hypothyroidism.
It is not advisable to proceed with surgery with low thyroid hormones and high TSH.
Thus, treatment in the form of thyroxine is needed to bring the thyroid hormones at normal range before proceeding with surgery.

Consult your physician for clinical assessment, review of laboratory tests and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal


I find this answer helpful
  User's Response
HI
Thank for asking to HCM
I really appreciate your concern and let me tell you that the hypothyroidism and low RBC is nothing to take with each other but of course this could be due to low hemoglobin, and this need to be ruled out, if you have doubt regarding the lab. then go for cross checking, take care and have a nice day.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Thyroid


Loading Online Doctors....
What Is The Connection Between Low Red Blood Cells And Hypothyroidism?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Hypothyroidism can cause anemia. Anemia in hypothyroidism is due to low production of erythropoeitin. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by kidneys which is stimulating factor for red blood cell production. Red blood cell count can be low in hypothyroidism. TSH is raised and this is suggestive of hypothyroidism. It is not advisable to proceed with surgery with low thyroid hormones and high TSH. Thus, treatment in the form of thyroxine is needed to bring the thyroid hormones at normal range before proceeding with surgery. Consult your physician for clinical assessment, review of laboratory tests and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal