Low Blood count and Hemoglobin

When i went into surgery my hemocrit was 25 and hemoglobin was only 7.8. The surgery was done and no transfusion given. Post op the levels were 23 and 6.5. i was given iron and vitamins, what can I do to build my blood levels back up besides a transfusion. I am sooooooo tired after the surgery. My surgery was done 2/16/10. How long does it take before I get my blood levels back up?

Wow, that is low. Have you seen a Hematologist? They would be the best to answer your questions. At one time my hemoglobin was 9.8 and my ferritin was 7, and I would sleep 14 hours a day if I was able. I would even sleep on my lunch break at work. I really feel for you is is hard enough to deal with that let alone when dealing with recovery from surgery. I ended up taking 2 iron pills a day for 2 years and b12 injections monthly - all prescribed by a doctor to get all of my levels back to normal and my doctor tested my levels every 6 months to see how I was doing. He was a hematologist. Get with a good doctor that will take care of you.

Continued ... After about 4 months I felt better and noticed 8 hours of sleep was fine and things really improved from there. Iron is really important but a doctor needs to monitor it since too much iron can poison your blood.

My level was at a six before surgery and I was given 6 pints of blood. I could barely breath. Went in last Thursday for the surgery and ended up in the hospital getting the transfusions instead and then had surgery on Monday. I can't tell you what a difference it made getting the blood. I know a lot of people get nervous about transfusions but it was the best decision I ever made. Even though your surgery is over I would look at that option. Good Luck with your recovery.

I too had a transfusion. I agree that it made a huge difference, and within hours, NOT weeks... I'm shocked your dr didn't give you one. I think you should go see a hematologist and get yourself feeling better asap. Good luck

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Originally Posted by bambi1 When i went into surgery my hemocrit was 25 and hemoglobin was only 7.8. The surgery was done and no transfusion given. Post op the levels were 23 and 6.5. i was given iron and vitamins, what can I do to build my blood levels back up besides a transfusion. I am sooooooo tired after the surgery. My surgery was done 2/16/10. How long does it take before I get my blood levels back up?

First of all, you're only a week out from your surgery, so there are lots of reasons why you're feeling tired besides anemia.

Second, at least in the US (I don't know where you are), doctors don't automatically go for transfusions because of the (slight) risks. While the blood supply is generally safe, there are complications such as fever that can occur with transfusions. They'll do it, but not as a first resort. (For example, the ER doc left it up to me whether to get a transfusion at 23 (I declined), but gave me no choice when I hit 19.)

My usual hematocrit is below 30, and that's normal for me, because of a genetic deficiency, so I manage my anemia with diet. (I don't take iron pills because they don't do anything for me.) Here's what I suggest:

If you are not normally anemic (and you're not on any blood thinners or anti-coags), you can combine iron pills with a good iron-rich diet. When you are able to eat real food, go for things like leafy green veggies (spinach, kale, collards), beans, and lean red meat. Be careful at first, however, because, as you might guess, these foods can also produce a lot of gas. If you're not yet able to eat real food, you can try products like Boost or Ensure (diet supplemental shakes), which may have higher levels of iron and B-vitamins to get you over.

Iron pills will constipate you, so make sure you're either taking stool softeners or eating a lot of fiber.

Finally, your doc will probably include blood work, including a CBC, in your post-op exam, and if he or she doesn't, ask for it. (But it's up to you to report any symptoms that concern you: fatigue, heart flutters, dizziness, etc.)

I hope you feel better soon.