Question 1

how low can hemoglobin go before you need a transfusion?

Accepted Answer

It depends...: What's the cause? How quickly has the hemoglobin dropped/is there any ongoing bleeding? Is there evidence of inadequate tissue perfusion? What other acute & chronic medical problems does the patient have? In critically ill patients who aren't bleeding, a hemoglobin as low as 7 g/dl is generally well tolerated. Decision to transfuse should be based on desired physiologic effect, not on a number.

Question 2

how can you treat persistent low hemoglobin counts following chemotherapy, other than blood transfusion?

Accepted Answer

Not many: Your heme-onc dr is an expert in this, and should have discussed (or tried) a gmcsf injection to stimulate your body's red blood cell production. But, many cancer pts do not respond to it--either due to the nature of the cancer or the treatment or both. If not amenable to induction of production, then will need transfusion every so many weeks. I see many pts who do this, and once used to it are ok.

Question 3

my dad has jaundice and low hemoglobin (was a 4). got a transfusion saturday which brought the levels u?

Accepted Answer

What's the question?: I'm sorry dad is sick. He may have a hemolytic anemia that is causing his jaundice, or he may have liver disease and bleeding due to this or some other cause. I hope that a treatable cause is found, and if there are other questions that you have, please write us.

Question 4

im a 22 year old female and i already had a blood transfusion because of my very low hemoglobin... what should i do to keep my hemoglobin level up?

Accepted Answer

Wow: There must be an explanation for the anemia.  An effective treatment course can only be accomplished by having a proper diagnosis. Iron deficiency is the most common reason for a woman your age to be anemic, but there are many other diagnoses that must be looked for. Until you have that specific diagnosis you can't begin to prevent future problems.

Question 5

i had a blood transfusion due to low hemoglobin. my iron level was 6 and is now 9 after two units. i still feel weak and really tired after 3 days?

Accepted Answer

Of course you do: You are still seriously anemic. Be proactive. Insist on an explanation of how you got this sick and what wil be done to restore you to health. If you have a bleeding stomach ulcer, what will be done? If you have hemolysis, what is the cause? G6PD status? Were you malnourished? You deserve a full explanation.

Question 6

my dad 93 as been diagnosed with mds 5 years ago in the last 2 months he recieved 2 blood transfusions with no symptoms besides low hemoglobin. in the past he never recieved blood transfusions so close apart .why is this occurring all of a sudden?thk?

Accepted Answer

: It is likely that his hemoglobin is low enough ( 7.0 usually the threshold for transfusion) and this is somewhat common for patients with MDS who eventually become transfusion dependent. Best to have a goals of care discussion with your dad and his hematologist in order to clarify plans going forward.

Question 7

how low must hemoglobin be to get transfusion?

Accepted Answer

Low: Due to the potential side-effects and risks of transfusion and the chronic blood shortage the us has, most would agree that transfusion should occur only if the hemoglobin is less than 8gm/dl (normal 12-16) or at any level if the patient is symptomatic or if there is significant active bleeding.

Question 8

do i need to go get a transfusion if my hemoglobin and hematocrit are low?

Accepted Answer

Not neccessarily: Blood transfusion is given if the anemia is symptomatic or very low due to active bleeding
asymptomatic anemias can be treated with IV iron or iron by mouth.

Question 9

i am on actermra for scleritis and have 10 for my hemoglobin level, is that too low to do next infusion and when too low and need transfusion?

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin level: Most centers will not transfuse a stable non bleeding patient with a hemoglobin over 7.  Speak with your doctor if you are having symptoms due to anemia. I know Acterma can cause decreased platelets and WBC but I did not know it caused anemia too.  Speak with your doctor.

Question 10

is there anything i can do to boost my hemoglobin. i have had iron transfusion and ferritin is up where it need to be also had myemectomy to remove my fibroids. so no more hemmorhaging but it still is low and my wbc. trying to see if can improve. ?

Accepted Answer

It seems: you are on the correct track, although it can take weeks for an improvement to occur. Retesting iron levels maybe needed, as well as checking for other causes of anemia. So it is best to see your doctor with these concerns and further testing, as needed.

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Doctor answers about:

How low can hemoglobin go before you need a transfusion

A member asked:

How low can hemoglobin go before you need a transfusion?

A member asked:

How can you treat persistent low hemoglobin counts following chemotherapy, other than blood transfusion?

A member asked:

My dad has jaundice and low hemoglobin (was a 4). got a transfusion saturday which brought the levels u?

A member asked:

Im a 22 year old female and i already had a blood transfusion because of my very low hemoglobin... what should i do to keep my hemoglobin level up?

A member asked:

I had a blood transfusion due to low hemoglobin. my iron level was 6 and is now 9 after two units. i still feel weak and really tired after 3 days?

A member asked:

My dad 93 as been diagnosed with mds 5 years ago in the last 2 months he recieved 2 blood transfusions with no symptoms besides low hemoglobin. in the past he never recieved blood transfusions so close apart .why is this occurring all of a sudden?thk?

A member asked:

How low must hemoglobin be to get transfusion?

A member asked:

Do i need to go get a transfusion if my hemoglobin and hematocrit are low?

A member asked:

I am on actermra for scleritis and have 10 for my hemoglobin level, is that too low to do next infusion and when too low and need transfusion?

A member asked:

Is there anything i can do to boost my hemoglobin. i have had iron transfusion and ferritin is up where it need to be also had myemectomy to remove my fibroids. so no more hemmorhaging but it still is low and my wbc. trying to see if can improve. ?

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