Question:
My hemoglobin and hematocrit are low, according to recent blood tests.
I am 6 months post op. My doctor is supposed to call me Monday, meanwhile I worry. Has anyone experienced this and how to correct? thanks. — Donna S. (posted on April 20, 2002)
April 20, 2002
Some people are chronically anemic. Many things are needed in order for
your body to make red blood cells. You may be low on your iron or your
vitamin b-12. Both are needed at different stages of rbc formation. And
it also depends on how low it is. If it is really low and you have
symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, you may need a blood
transfusion. However, Im sure that since your doc didnt want you to come
in right away, your's is not really low. Anyway, good luck.
— Cory F.
April 20, 2002
I believe that is pretty common. How low were your levels? Are you already
taking an iron supplement? If not that is what they will probably do. My
iron was moderately low and they started me on a separate iron tablet and
things are normal now.
— Virginia N.
April 20, 2002
Hi there
I too am an expert at low blood iron lol jk but start taking 2 extra
iron pills a day the 325 mg ones from any pharmacy the generic are fine
they are like 3 dollars for 100 of them BUT make sure you take them after
a meal AND take 500 mg of vitamin c with each pill you need the
vitamin c to better absorb the iron and your b 12 needs to be good to
absorb also many different ways to get that but the monthly non painful
shots are the best for those of us with low blood iron hope this helps
some good luck xoxoxox BBd
— BBD
April 20, 2002
Hi! I'm the resident anemia queen on this site I think. I suffer from
"severe" anemia...ie: low hemoglobin and low hematacrit since
surgery. Oral iron did not work for me but seems to work for most people.
Even taking the iron pills, I was admitted from emergency into the hospital
for transfusions. My iron count has since (2 years ago) never gotten above
9.0. I get iron injections every other week now but it's expensive and not
the healthiest thing to have done so often for the liver. Some people
seems to also need iron infusions if the counts get really bad but my
doctor thinks they are risky for some reason and doesn't want me to have
them. Hopefully, your counts will come up with just some extra iron. I
would certainly have my counts done again within 3 months to see if the
iron is working properly. If not, your doc can do something else but
please keep a good eye on it and don't just go by what the doc
thinks...demand bloodwork to prove that the iron is helping. Good luck to
you. Barb
— Barbara H.
April 20, 2002
Where are the ferritin & iron levels? B12 & folate? Which iron are
you taking now? If you take the ferrous sulfate form (the std 325mg type),
you might expect your numbers to dip ever lower since this type if not well
absorbed. If you can find carbonyl iron or polysaccharide type, you may
get a better result.
— vitalady
April 20, 2002
I had the same exact problem with my iron being low...I was 6 days away
from surgery and had to have it postponed because of my iron...I had to
come up from my iron being 6.3 to being high enough to have the surgery on
4/29/02. In response to the mention of Ferrous Sulfate, I took 3 of those
325mg tabs a day with Vit. C with a swig of O.J and it has brought my iron
up considerably...Do the 325mg/3 x's a day with Vit. C tabs...I had to have
the Endoscopy/Barium Enema/Colonoscopy before my surgeon would even touch
me!!
— ALICIA T.
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