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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Black Colored Blood?

Had blood work done yesterday It has been many years since I have had any done Right away the nurse and I noticed it was very black in color and very thick. And that was all she said. Then about 30 minutes later they wanted me to go back and have a pint of blood removed. Which I didn't do because by then it was after my doctor was available & I would have had to go to the ER. What is all this a sign or symptom of?

Thanks for any info. Stacia
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
HI Dear
I have read your query and by the "black colored and thick blood" i understand that your blood has a higher level of hemoglobin.
Normally hemoglobin should be in the range of 12-14gm%.
A little more than that upto 16gm% would not harm you in any way. But a significantly higher Hb level more than 16.5gm% or even higher may be of concern.
Higher Hb levels are known as polycythemia which can be due to various reasons ranging from benign to malignant(cancerous) conditions.
The doctor had asked to remove some amount of blood, that is known as phlebotomy.
If i were your doctor, i would have asked you to do the following lab tests:
1. CBC with PBS (routine blood count with peripheral blood smear)
2. Serum erythropoietin level (if decreased, a malignant condition would be suspected and next panel of tests would be advised)).

Please share the reports once it is done.
Follow up questions will be appreciated.
Thank you
Regards
Dr Pallavi Jain
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What Causes Black Colored Blood?

HI Dear I have read your query and by the black colored and thick blood i understand that your blood has a higher level of hemoglobin. Normally hemoglobin should be in the range of 12-14gm%. A little more than that upto 16gm% would not harm you in any way. But a significantly higher Hb level more than 16.5gm% or even higher may be of concern. Higher Hb levels are known as polycythemia which can be due to various reasons ranging from benign to malignant(cancerous) conditions. The doctor had asked to remove some amount of blood, that is known as phlebotomy. If i were your doctor, i would have asked you to do the following lab tests: 1. CBC with PBS (routine blood count with peripheral blood smear) 2. Serum erythropoietin level (if decreased, a malignant condition would be suspected and next panel of tests would be advised)). Please share the reports once it is done. Follow up questions will be appreciated. Thank you Regards Dr Pallavi Jain