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Suggest Treatment For Anemia

Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016

Question: I am anemic due to hemolytic mitral valve problem arising from mitral valve repair. How can I increase red blood cell production?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
iron supplements can help

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Hemolytic anemia from mitral valve repair is uncommon. It occurs more commonly in prosthetic valve replacement. Hence the exact treatment is not known. What is the hemoglobin level in you?

Sometimes, iron supplements can help. If they don't work and hemoglobin is very low, blood transfusion will be required. Another treatment is reoperation or valve replacement. Though this is mostly not required.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (21 minutes later)

My hemoglobin is 10.5 and Ferritin level is 4.4. Reoperation is not considered because of age and transfusion is considered too risky. Surely there is some new technique to somehow stimulate red blood cell growth. I am in good health otherwise, exercise daily play doubles tennis twice a week for 3 hours total, am 72" tall and weigh 180 lbs. Shortness of breath is a problem.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
transfusion not needed

Detailed Answer:
With this hemoglobin, I don't recommend transfusions or even reoperation.

Serum ferritin is very low, so iron supplements should help.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar