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What Causes Decrease In Hemoglobin Levels At Night After Pneumonia Treatment?
Question: My grandmother was hospitalized one week ago with pneumonia. Treatment was effective, and she was scheduled for release this morning. However, at some point during the night, her hemoglobin levels suddenly took a nosedive. What can cause that?
Brief Answer:
It might have been a gastrointestinal bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena
As your grandmother has been hospitalized for one week I assume that she did some tests such as complete blood count.
If I had her test results would be useful but I will give you my opinion based on this information.
If in this test her Hemoglobin was in normal range and in a few days hemoglobin level is too low I can only think in one possibility:Bleeding.
Bleeding is the only cause of a sudden and significance decrease in hemoglobin's level.
Bleeding can be internal (occurs inside the body) or external(it is visible).
Since there is no evidence of external bleeding, it can be due to internal bleeding.
The majority of internal bleeding comes from gastro-intestinal tract.
It might due to gastric lesions such as gastritis,ulcer etc.
I would suggest to test her stools for blood.
If the bleeding was significant she probably had diarrhea with black stools, but it can happen that her stool are normal because the small amount of blood in stool,or if the bleeding has stoped 1-2 days before.
In this case I suggest occult blood test,it can detect even microscopic amount of blood in stools.
Hope I was able to help you.If you have further questions please feel free to write me,I will be happy to answer.
Wish your grandmother quick and complete recovery.
Dr.Rovena
It might have been a gastrointestinal bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena
As your grandmother has been hospitalized for one week I assume that she did some tests such as complete blood count.
If I had her test results would be useful but I will give you my opinion based on this information.
If in this test her Hemoglobin was in normal range and in a few days hemoglobin level is too low I can only think in one possibility:Bleeding.
Bleeding is the only cause of a sudden and significance decrease in hemoglobin's level.
Bleeding can be internal (occurs inside the body) or external(it is visible).
Since there is no evidence of external bleeding, it can be due to internal bleeding.
The majority of internal bleeding comes from gastro-intestinal tract.
It might due to gastric lesions such as gastritis,ulcer etc.
I would suggest to test her stools for blood.
If the bleeding was significant she probably had diarrhea with black stools, but it can happen that her stool are normal because the small amount of blood in stool,or if the bleeding has stoped 1-2 days before.
In this case I suggest occult blood test,it can detect even microscopic amount of blood in stools.
Hope I was able to help you.If you have further questions please feel free to write me,I will be happy to answer.
Wish your grandmother quick and complete recovery.
Dr.Rovena
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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