low hemaglobin normal hematocrit

siri2

hi there,

i have had 2 blood tests now showing low hemoglobin , normal red blood cell count and normal hematocrit. 3 other counts were low too; cant remember the abbreviations; i looked them up tho and they all had to do with hemoblobin.



i got a msg from nurse to start taking iron. no mention that cancer is involved. i am away for the weekend in the desert, far from a pharmacy. i am supposed to start chemo on friday.



can i assume cancer is not involved because nurse did not mention? or might they be waiting for me to come back?



nurse sounded worried, eveb if cancer is not involved is low hemoglobin bad going into chemo? if i start the iron on monday will that boost my hemoglobin by friday?



i think it is alkaline phosphate involved with bone mets-thats normal,

ps lumpectomy 2/11

doxie

I am guessing the concern is because chemo causes red blood cell counts to drop.  If you are already starting out low, that may cause problems down the line.  It may be that you'll have more trouble bringing them up for the next round of chemo, delaying it.  Low counts will also make you more fatigued, which may make you less motivated to exercise and otherwise take care of yourself.  Hard to do regardless.

I managed to keep my RBC rebounding until my 4th and last round.  I was dragging and had no energy.  Found out the RBC was very low and was offered a transfusion.  Since I had completed my last round, I declined.  It tooks several more weeks before I had more energy.  

I drug out my cast iron skillet and cooked acid based foods, like lemon chicken and tomato sauses.  These leach iron out of the skillet and adds it to your diet during the meal, best time to consume iron.  

Sorry for the mets.  Good luck with chemo.  

siri2

but i dont know if i have mets. thats the whole reason i posted. the nurse didnt say anything about mets. just low hemoglobin. it's *me* worrying about mets. i have low hemoglobin but normal cell counts. all she mentioned was take iron but i am sitting here in the desert vacationing with my family and worrying myself silly about possible mets.

sbelizabeth

Siri, the nurse probably sounded concerned because of what doxie described.  Chemo can cause you red blood cell count to drop, and if you are anemic before you even begin your chemo (due to reasons other than cancer), it's just going to get lower and make you feel exhausted, lower immunity to infection, etc.  

To my knowledge, a low hemoglobin has nothing to due with early breast cancer, or is any indication that mets are present.  For a menstruating woman, it's usually caused by heavy periods and a low dietary intake of replacement iron.  Beginning iron supplements on Monday won't bring your counts up significantly before Friday, but you have to start somewhere!

I know it's easy to get spun up about every hiccup in the process of this whole fandango--I do it myself--but please rest easy about this.  

Alicethecat

Hello Siri

I had to have a blood transfusion for a low red blood cell count (anaemia) before I had a mastectomy, during chemo and a few weeks ago.

No mets! Please see my signature.

Chemo can cut down the red blood cells so I guess the nurse is keen to get yours up.

Enjoy meat if you can!

Best wishes

Alice

doxie

Siri,  I'm sorry I misunderstood.  I thought you were stating you had mets.  I've never heard of low RBC having any connection to mets, nor low white blood count which you will definitely experience during chemo.  

Racy

Without looking it up, I think the other ladies are right. I had a red cell transfusion with my fourth or fifth round of chemo.



I know it is hard not to worry about mets. That is what this forum is for whenever you need it.



I hope your chemo goes smoothly.

siri2

thx everybody! i am on the iron now. good wishes for everyone's recovery.