hemoglobin

tesa
tesa Member Posts: 123
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Have any of you had a problem with a low hemglobin count during radiation therapy? Mom's count was 7.2 this morning so they're going to give her a blood transfusion to get it back up. I'm just curious as to how common this is among cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments.

Comments

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #2
    YES
    Jim had to have a transfusion about mid way through treatment.

    Blessings to you and mom. Debbie
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
    jim and i said:

    YES
    Jim had to have a transfusion about mid way through treatment.

    Blessings to you and mom. Debbie

    I'm guessing it's quite routine
    As it happened to me also and I've seen many on here post the same. I was sent home at my second cisplatin appointment. I was told to come back several days later. My counts were back up and they were able to administer chemo. It's not going to make any significant difference in the effectiveness of the chemo so don't let that bother you.
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #4
    hemoglobin
    There can be many causes of low hemoglobin or "anemia" related to certain diseases. A hormone in the kidneys helps hemoglobin production, are her kidneys fine? Does she have enough iron? Vitamin B12 in her blood? Was it a rapid drop or has it always been on the lower side? Is she bleeding from anywhere? Black stools? In terms of H&N treatment, I would be more inclined to think chemo would have an affect on blood values, especially white cell counts, perhaps maybe hemoglobin by interrupting the maturation process of red blood cells but I don't see how focused radiation in the head/neck area would lower hemoglobin, although I may be wrong, so that's really a good question for your rad doc.

    Personally, the chemo took a beating to my white cell count, but my hemoglobin is normal. I'm halfway through rads.
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #5
    Studies
    The transfusion will help her respond to rads, good to get.
    In the future, I can imagine H&N patients getting an EPO/Aranesp injection prior to rads if they have lower hemoglobins to start.
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #6
    RogerRN43 said:

    Studies
    The transfusion will help her respond to rads, good to get.
    In the future, I can imagine H&N patients getting an EPO/Aranesp injection prior to rads if they have lower hemoglobins to start.

    So sorry
    So sorry for your cancer but so glad that you are on this site. You have a wealth of information and thank you for sharing.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Hi Tesa
    I never had to do the blood transfusion but know of some who did and it was like before they were down and out and after the transfusion they were a new person.

    Wishing both you and Mom well
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    Blood Counts
    Hi Tesa,

    I didn't have my HGB get that low, 13.2 was the lowest. I did have the WBC go to 2.1 and the RBC at 4.0. But both of those low counts still allowed me to continue.

    The low counts and transfusions are not that umcommon during treatment.

    But I'd presume the medical staff could offer some possible comments on why. There may have been some other underlying thing going on. Or, it could just simply be a result of treatment.

    Best,
    John

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