What Causes Low Hemoglobin Count?

Posted on Thu, 12 Nov 2015

Question: we are looking for a hematologist/endocrinologist who can help my friend. She has low hemoglobin. She was sent to specialist who gave her iv dose of high iron. When she has her periods she bleeds out brown blood. Gyno exam shows no problems with reproductive system. She cannot tolerate iron in any form, they all insist on iron or some suggest a hysterectomy. No doctors want to do any further screening for potential problems like porphyria, No one here (Saskatchewan) can do enzyme tests for iron binding problems, She is also type 1 diabetic , No one wants to test her insulin to see if it may be the problem, She recently discovered an enlarged thyroid , She needs a complete physical with complete blood screen. thank you

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
She needs investigation to search the cause of anemia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
She has low hemoglobin. There are many causes of low hemoglobin. Iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic bleeding, hemolytic anemia are some of the common cause.

She should go for complete blood count, peripheral smear examination and anemia profile & TSH level. It will give uou exact diagnosis whether she has iron deficiency or other cause. Then she required treatment according to cause.

So go for investigations and give me follow up with reports.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (15 minutes later)

she has no B-12 deficiency. a person can be overloaded with iron and still be with anemia. She was given high dose iv iron therapy she cannot tolerate it starts to bleed . she gets painful joints she cannot tolerate even juvenile iron tablets. She eats a diet with iron foods
Can a person have iron overload and still be with anemia? painful joint, swollen thyroid etc?

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
But she needs investigations to search the cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Its ok that she doesn't have vitamin B12 deficiency or iron deficiency. But she still needs investigations to search the other cause of anemia.

I can understand that she is overloaded with iron but other cause should be investigated first. Then only we are able to give appropriate treatment.

So go for complete blood count, peripheral smear examination and anemia profile and TSH.

It will help to search the exact cause. Then she should take treatment accordingly.

If she already gine through investigation then please send me all reports.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

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