[billethkid]

Just had my 6 months check up and the doc showed me my hemoglobin went from 14.8 last time to 13.8 this time. The range is 13.9-16.3. THere are two issues as I see it.

One my hemoglobin is ONLY .1 below the low limit!!??
Secondly and the bigger concern is the fact it is a full 1.0 down from the last 6 months (from 14.8 to 13.8).

The docs reaction was just best guessing possible causes;
>error in the sample drawn and reported
>bleeding somewhere
>becoming iron deficient/anemic
>others

So as usual I am trying to educate myself on a "potential" new health issue.
And as usual way too much info on the internet but very much of it informational.

The doc says lets sit on it for 3 months and check again.

Given my usual good health and condition (thank GOD) I am betting on a bad reading.

Anybody have any comments/experience about a lowering hemogloblin incident?

btk

[blueash]

Quit worrying. A wonderful example of why you shouldn't be doing "routine blood work" every 6 months or even once a year. You doctor is totally correct that this is overwhelmingly just the normal variation of your hemoglobin. I am certain the doctor also did a dietary history to establish you are getting enough iron and folate and B12 in your diet and asked about changes in the color of your stool which might indicate intestinal loss. And if you look at the blood work which you had there are many other indices of the size and the hemoglobin of the red cells which are just as important as the simple measure of Hgb which you had done. In the absense of changes in your health HISTORY and EXAM there is no reason to be worried about this minor change in your lab work. If for some reason you have been getting multiple CBC's go back and look at the older ones. You will likely see there is a large range in which your hemoglobin has been reported. If you really had anemia (which 13.8 is not) then the possibilties break down into 3 broad categories (oversimplification coming).... A) You are not making enough red cells because either you lack the raw materials (iron, vitamins) or lack the genetic code (sickle cell, thalassemias etc which would be lifelong) or have interfering chemicals in your system (lead) or the bone marrow is not doing its job B. You are making enough red cells but they are be destroyed in your body too quickly (average red cell lives 100 days) or C You are making enough but they are being lost to the outside (urine, stool, nosebleeds, heavy periods)
Seems unlikely that it is heavy periods as you are giving the male normals but can't tell from your photo

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by billethkid

>bleeding somewhere

Do you take aspirin? Aspirin could cause stomach bleeding.

[asianthree]

usually not an error on the labs part.

[ariel]

Your doctor's advice seems sound as long as he addressed your specifics with a thorough history, e.g. symptoms, family/personal history of any GI bleeding such as ulcers or colon cancer. If you are over 55/60 or a male and eat a nutritionally sound diet, a steadily decreasing HGB will be most likely due to GI system issues. But this one value can't really tell you anything. Unless you are having or develop some symptoms (weakness, increased fatigue, pale mucous membranes, dark/tarry stools) or this is really going to prey on your mind, waiting 3 months should be fine. Otherwise, go back to your doctor and tell him you need a little more investigation done at this point - repeat the test and at least do a stool sample for occult blood.

[twotogo]

Dear Bilolethkid,

Two books that turned around my diabetes are:
Blood Sugar 101: What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes by
Jenny Ruhl. Her website is Bloodsugar101.com. The other book is more technical, it is Dr. Richard Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide To Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. If you get this book, first read Before & After, Fourteen patients share their experiences. Very eye opening and motivating. My A1c has stayed 6% or below since 1993 when implementing the stratigies in these books and yes I'm still diabetic. Good Luck.

[mfp509]

This is an interesting thread. My friend is going through something similar. Her counts are low, also. Her blood cells look okay, she just isn't making enough of them. She has had numerous blood tests for all sorts of diseases, including a bone marrow test and so far nothing has shown up as the cause. She is awaiting another batch of tests that were done last week. She was sent up to Shand's. too. It's a mystery.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Just had my 6 months check up and the doc showed me my hemoglobin went from 14.8 last time to 13.8 this time. The range is 13.9-16.3. THere are two issues as I see it.

One my hemoglobin is ONLY .1 below the low limit!!??
Secondly and the bigger concern is the fact it is a full 1.0 down from the last 6 months (from 14.8 to 13.8).

The docs reaction was just best guessing possible causes;
>error in the sample drawn and reported
>bleeding somewhere
>becoming iron deficient/anemic
>others

So as usual I am trying to educate myself on a "potential" new health issue.
And as usual way too much info on the internet but very much of it informational.

The doc says lets sit on it for 3 months and check again.

Given my usual good health and condition (thank GOD) I am betting on a bad reading.

Anybody have any comments/experience about a lowering hemogloblin incident?

btk

Since it is obviously worrisome for you, why not just ask the doctor to repeat the test now?

[zonerboy]

Lab results such as hemoglobin should not be regarded as constants. They normally vary from time to time within a certain range. If you had your hemoglobin checked every week for a month, I'm betting you would not have two results exactly the same.
Your result was only 0.1 gm. outside the "normal" range.
But if you think a 1 gm. variation in a years time is too great for your anxiety level to handle, just ask your Doc to repeat it now instead of waiting three months. It's not an expensive test.

[Carmpat]

I wish I had that hemaglobin. I go for blood draws every month and my level falls between 9.3 and 10.6. I am in remission with cancer going on 4 yrs so be thankful your level is still at a good high range. As long as you are feeling well, I wouldn't worry about it.

[jebartle]

this would speak volumes

[Villages PL]

Billethkid,

You need certain B vitamins to build red blood cells. B12 is one of them. However, even if you're getting enough, you may have an absorption problem.