Question 1

what is considered dangerous in low hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

ALWAYS serious: Being "a little bit anemic" is like being "a little bit pregnant." even if the anemia is not life-threatening, it warns that you're sick and you need to find the cause. Especially, iron deficiency anemia without explanation screams out for a work-up -- "am i losing blood into my gut from an undiagnosed cancer?" you must demand your physician find the cause.

Question 2

what should i do if i have very low hemoglobin levels?

Accepted Answer

Get evaluated: The causes of anemia (low hemoglobin) are many.  You need an evaluation with a history and physical exam. Some initial studies include -- CBC w/diff, peripheral blood smear, reticulocyte count, EPO level, fecal occult blood testing and possibly others (eg ua, vitamin studies, etc).

Question 3

is it common for women in their 20's and 30's to have low hemoglobin levels?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is quite common for young women to have anemia especially if you dont eat right and if you have heavy menses. Having said that, there are many other things that can cause anemia. Please see your doctor and have your doctor evaluate you further for the cause of your anemia and direct the treatment based on the cause.

Question 4

what causes a low hemoglobin level?

Accepted Answer

Let explain: Low hemoglobin count isn't always a sign of illness — it may be normal for some people. Women who are pregnant commonly experience low hemoglobin counts.
Diseases and conditions that cause your body to produce fewer red blood cells than normal include: aplastic anemia and others.
Diseases and conditions that cause your body to destroy red blood cells faster than they can be made:enlarged spleen.

Question 5

what can cause low hemoglobin level?

Accepted Answer

Variable: There are many.Low iron, b12, Folic Acid etc.Depends on your cbc.

Question 6

what are symptoms of very low hemoglobin level?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue breathing: When your hemoglobin level falls, you get tiired - the lower it gets, the more fatigued.  When it gets really low, you may experience shortness of breath.  As it gets even lower, it can cause heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and even clotting off of arteries to the gut, fingers, etc.

Question 7

what are the health risks of low hemoglobin levels?

Accepted Answer

Find the cause: Very low hemoglobin levels will restrict your exercise tolerance, but the greatest danger of anemia is that it warns of an underlying problem. While the cause is often a woman's loss each month or during pregnancy, or non-supplementing vegetarianism, anemia may warn of cancer, ulcers, B12 deficiency which can cause brain damage, and a host of other bad things.

Question 8

does the low hemoglobin level affect the food appetite?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the cause: Low hemoglobin per se does not affect appetite but low hemoglobin is a symptom of many diseases and drugs. For example, chemotherapy causes loss of appetite and low hb.

Question 9

is it possible for you to still have a hysterectomy with low hemoglobin levels?

Accepted Answer

See details: It depends how low is low. Usually one will be transfused or the anemia otherwise corrected prior to surgery.

Question 10

will leukemia cause low hemoglobin levels? how quickly does it progress if acute?

Accepted Answer

Why do you ask?: If you have been discovered to have an anemia, and you are concerned it is leukemia, do not wait another day -- ask your physician whether abnormal cells were seen on your smear and/or white counts &/or platelets were abnormal. If not, it has another cause. Anemia may be very sudden or insidious depending on the type of leukemia. But i'm concerned first for you.

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Doctor answers about:

Dangerously low hemoglobin levels

A member asked:

What is considered dangerous in low hemoglobin?

A member asked:

What should i do if i have very low hemoglobin levels?

A member asked:

Is it common for women in their 20's and 30's to have low hemoglobin levels?

A member asked:

What causes a low hemoglobin level?

A member asked:

What can cause low hemoglobin level?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of very low hemoglobin level?

A member asked:

What are the health risks of low hemoglobin levels?

A member asked:

Does the low hemoglobin level affect the food appetite?

A member asked:

Is it possible for you to still have a hysterectomy with low hemoglobin levels?

A member asked:

Will leukemia cause low hemoglobin levels? how quickly does it progress if acute?

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