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Would You Say The Varying Results Of The HB Indicate Anemia?
Question: Dear Doctor, i am NOT asking for a diagnosis, since the information I have provided is far too limited. However, if a hospital patient (male) has a normal hemoglobin (within the range 130-170 g/L) but then the Hb becomes 128, 124, 129,130, 134, 137, 133, 126, 130, 120, 129, 134 and 119 over a period of 2-3 weeks, then is this what you would EXPECT to see in a patient IF he has recently had an acute transformation into an acute myeloid leukemia. The platelet count fell during this time to 11 but then returned to normal within a week without treatment. The neutrophils have never been low, that is, there is no neutropenia. There is no evidence of blasts being greater than 20% in either the BM or PB. I appreciate that you cannot give a definitive opinion but (1) would you expect this HB level in a recent transformation to AML and (2) would you say the varying results of the HB indicate anemia?
Brief Answer:
Mild anemia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I would say that from the given hemoglobin levels that there is mild anemia. But this level of hemoglobin is not indicative of acute leukemia, where the fall is more significant usually.
Platelets of 11000/uL is however highly abnormal and can signify serious illnesses including leukemia. But as it has improved to normal without treatment then this was more likely a transient problem like infection or drug induced.
WBCs were always normal. So I don't think there is any evidence of leukemia here. Mild anemia can be due to any acute illness. Iron and B12/folate deficiency should be ruled out as well.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Mild anemia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I would say that from the given hemoglobin levels that there is mild anemia. But this level of hemoglobin is not indicative of acute leukemia, where the fall is more significant usually.
Platelets of 11000/uL is however highly abnormal and can signify serious illnesses including leukemia. But as it has improved to normal without treatment then this was more likely a transient problem like infection or drug induced.
WBCs were always normal. So I don't think there is any evidence of leukemia here. Mild anemia can be due to any acute illness. Iron and B12/folate deficiency should be ruled out as well.
Hope this helps.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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