low red blood count....

kathleen1966 · July 2011

Hello everyone,

It's been nearly six months since my last chemo and about four months since my last radiation. I became anemic towards the end of my chemo treatments. My red blood cell counts and other counts related to it are still marked with an L for low next to them. They are not dangerously low, just low. My oncologist is not concerned and considers this low normal I suppose (numbers are below the normal range though). When I called the nurse today, she said these counts may go up slightly or never go up and there is really nothing I can eat or do to help. She says this sometimes happens after chemo and radiation. I had no idea. I have two young children. I know my counts are not low enough to need a blood transfusion but I AM tired often. I have been anemic in the past. I just find this unacceptable. Has anyone else had a similar situation? Today, I made an appointment with a natural Health and Wellness Nutritionist. I am hoping a more natural approach will help and I desperately need to talk to someone about nutrition and health anyway. I need to lose weight. Anyway, I just can't believe that the oncologist nurse would just say this could be a permanent side effect and that there is nothing to be done to help....Really? Anemic for life? NO B-12 shots, no advice on vitamins, no liver or red meat consumption...none will help? thanks...Wondering if the Alternative/Holistic sisters have any good advice for me.....

Claire_in_Seattle · July 2011

Hi Kathleen,

I think you are going to the right place. Also get your Ferratin checked. This way, you know if the problem is that you don't have enough iron stores to begin with (low levels, so nothing for the body to work with and the answer is supplements) or the problem is that your body can't convert iron into hemoglobin (high ferratin levels, but low Hgb levels).

That said, I thinkk working with a nutritionist is a great idea. My energy levels weren't totally up at the six month point either, but well within the normal range. I noticed a major energy surge at the one year point. I suspect they are now in the high normal range once again.

So you may still be rebuilding.

Try to exercise too. Will get more oxygen into your system and paradoxically, you will feel better. - Claire

apple · July 2011

a bit of molasses should help.. I've essentially been treated for 3+ years now and my blood counts just started falling. (might be other reasons tho).

DebRox · July 2011

Kathleen:

I started chemo borderline anemic as my hemoglobin levels measured 11.0. I did not have my ferratin levels checked, but knew i was anemic due to hgb levels. Midway through my second treatment I discovered a supplement called floradix. It is a liquid iron and vitamin b supplement that is easily absorbed into the body and non constipating.

I am shocked, my rbc has been stable throughout chemo and my hgb has actually risen. I was worried about finishing chemo with anemia, looks like I won't be. I'm down to one tx to go. I'm ecstatic.

In addition, I second what Claire stated about exercising. Oxygenating blood critical.

Member_of_the_Club · July 2011

I've never heard about permanently lowered red blood counts. Are you taking iron pills? I was anemic at various times but I've been fine for years.

kathleen1966 · August 2011

I looked at all of my blood work for the entire time I was having chemo and even before chemo and I was anemic the entire time. Though this was not mentioned as a concern, probably because it was below normal but only slightly (last Blood work RBC were 3.72 (lowest normal 4.5) Hemoglobin was 11.2 (12.3 lowest normal) and the Hematocrit was 32.8 (36 lowest normal) I have two relatives (and aunt and my grandmother) who required B12 shots due to having this form of anemia. I have been anemic in the past as well and thought I was tested for the B12 deficiency. I will ask again. I will ask for a thyroid test and a B12 test next time I go...thanks....will also ask for the Ferratin test....

revkat · August 2011

I've had low red and white blood cell counts ever since chemo. However, the percentages of different kinds of cells are all normal. My RBC's bounce around between 3.7 and 3.8, with Hemoglobin hanging right under 12, and HCT between 34 and 35. My oncologist is not at all concerned, just says it is my new normal. I do not feel particularly fatigued and I never get sick, even though the rest of the family brings home lots of colds.

I think it's a good to explore with your doctor reasons for fatigue, but the counts you have may just be because chemo beat up your blood marrow.

Since the problem is overall number of red blood cells, the usual treatments for anemia (like eating liver or taking iron, etc.) won't help because there aren't enough rbcs for the iron to latch onto. At least that is what I was told.

kathleen1966 · August 2011

Should mention that my being anemic for the later months of chemo was a concern and I got the Procrit shot once but no blood infusion was necessary...forgot to mention this. What I meant was it was no concern that I was anemic before chemo and for most of the the months of chemo, until it became very low...I was what you have said revkat, that eating iron rich foods will not help for the reasons you mentioned (I believe this is what the nurse was trying to say, I like her, but she is not very good at actually explaining things)

apple · August 2011

My counts have been pretty good.. a week of diarrhea tho and they tanked. I've been pretty good at eating lots of protein,... tho I don't want too and swigging a tblspoon of molasses daily. I was told the iron helped.

just a patient.

ruthbru · August 2011

ICED MOLASSES RECIPE:
1 TBLS Blackstrap Molasses
Hot Water
3/4 cup Milk
Ice

Add molasses to a glass and add just enough hot water to cover the molasses. Stir until dissolved. Add ice and then top off with Milk. Even yummier is to blend the whole concoction.

LuvRVing · August 2011

I started taking a prenatal vitamin that has iron and folic acid. I found these at WalMart. It's working for me.

Michelle

apple · August 2011

i love molasses in hot water and milk - mixed.. or just in milk.. depends on how my caloric needs are that day.

I am going to try it iced now... yum indeed

low red blood count....

Comments

Categories