What Causes Low Hemoglobin Levels?

Hi Low haemoglobin levels are caused by A slightly low hemoglobin count isn t always a sign of illness — it may be normal for some people. Women who are pregnant commonly have low hemoglobin counts. Low hemoglobin counts associated with diseases and conditions A low hemoglobin count can be associated with a disease or condition that causes your body to have too few red blood cells. This can occur if: Your body produces fewer red blood cells than usual Your body destroys red blood cells faster than they can be produced You experience blood loss Diseases and conditions that cause your body to produce fewer red blood cells than normal include: Aplastic anemia Cancer Certain medications, such as anti-retroviral drugs for HIV infection and chemotherapy drugs for cancer and other conditions Chronic kidney disease Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) Hodgkin s lymphoma (Hodgkin s disease) Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Iron deficiency anemia Lead poisoning Leukemia Multiple myeloma Myelodysplastic syndromes Non-Hodgkin s lymphoma Vitamin deficiency anemia Diseases and conditions that cause your body to destroy red blood cells faster than they can be made include: Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) Hemolysis Porphyria Sickle cell anemia Thalassemia Vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) A low hemoglobin count can also be due to blood loss, which can occur because of: Bleeding from a wound Bleeding in your digestive tract, such as from ulcers, cancers or hemorrhoids Bleeding in your urinary tract Frequent blood donation Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. The treatment of the anemia varies greatly. First, the underlying cause of the anemia needs to be identified and corrected. For example, anemia as a result of blood loss from a stomach ulcer should begin with medications to heal the ulcer. Likewise, surgery is often necessary to remove a colon cancer that is causing chronic blood loss and anemia. Sometimes iron supplements will also be needed to correct iron deficiency. In severe anemia, blood transfusions may be necessary. Vitamin B12 injections will be necessary for patients suffering from pernicious anemia or other causes of B12 deficiency. In certain patients with bone marrow disease (or bone marrow damage from chemotherapy) or patients with kidney failure, epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) may be used to stimulate bone marrow red blood cell production. In certain patients with bone marrow disease (or bone marrow damage from chemotherapy) or patients with kidney failure, epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) may be used to stimulate bone marrow red blood cell production. If a medication is thought to be the culprit, then it should be discontinued under the direction of the prescribing doctor. Regards DR DE