HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Is Hemoglobin Count Of 5.9 A Cause For Concern?

My 14 yr old daughter had a blood count of 5.9,was discharged from hospital Saturday night with iron tablets, once three times a day. There is still no improvement and she is now saying when she breathes it tastes and smells of bleach, feels nauseous and has heart burn. Is this normal
Wed, 16 Dec 2015
Report Abuse
Geriatrics Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. I am Dr Ashish Arora. I am a GP and have an experience of 15 years.

The Haemoglobin level of 5.9 gm% is indeed very low and has to be increased with iron supplements which your daughter has been put on.

We need to clearly understand the reason behind this low level and the type of anemia she is suffering from. The routine blood tests should help us in clinching the diagnosis.

As far as feeling nausea is concerned, this is the side effect of iron tablets. One sure way to reduce the nausea and heartburn is to give the tablets in between meals. For instance, when she is half way through her lunch, you can give her a tablet and she can go on to finish her meal.

If this does not work, she may need to take tablets like ranitidine twice a day and sos for which you may please contact your doctor.

Once the cause of anemia is established, treatment will be easier and quicker.

Would like to ask you, if she has attained menarche. If yes, is she bleeding excessively? This could one reason for anemia females of this age group.

You may have some hardtime convincing her to continue with iron supplements but she should improve over a period of a 3 to 4 weeks.

Thanks.

I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Is Hemoglobin Count Of 5.9 A Cause For Concern?

Hi. I am Dr Ashish Arora. I am a GP and have an experience of 15 years. The Haemoglobin level of 5.9 gm% is indeed very low and has to be increased with iron supplements which your daughter has been put on. We need to clearly understand the reason behind this low level and the type of anemia she is suffering from. The routine blood tests should help us in clinching the diagnosis. As far as feeling nausea is concerned, this is the side effect of iron tablets. One sure way to reduce the nausea and heartburn is to give the tablets in between meals. For instance, when she is half way through her lunch, you can give her a tablet and she can go on to finish her meal. If this does not work, she may need to take tablets like ranitidine twice a day and sos for which you may please contact your doctor. Once the cause of anemia is established, treatment will be easier and quicker. Would like to ask you, if she has attained menarche. If yes, is she bleeding excessively? This could one reason for anemia females of this age group. You may have some hardtime convincing her to continue with iron supplements but she should improve over a period of a 3 to 4 weeks. Thanks.