low hemoglobin

davidsonxx
davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had my first 3 month check up after finishing my treatment. The blood work came back with a low hemoglobin level. I had my last chemo on 2/28 and had my ileostomy reversed on 4/16. My onc is having me redo the CBC to recheck it. I do have some minor bleeding from a fissure. How much do you have to bleed to impact your hemoglobin level? I don't know what may be causing this so I don't know whether to be worried or not (so of course I am worried). Any ideas about possible causes?

Comments

  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #2
    How low? My hemoglobin count has been a little low for over a year, or maybe forever, for all I know. Three weeks ago it was 13.7gm/dL, and my test results give 14-18 as the reference range. My doctor hasn't expressed any concern.

    Greg
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #3
    Can't remember if you had chemo, but if you did, it takes a long time for your body to recover. My counts after 15 mo. are just now in the normal range. My onc says that it takes that long.
    Jo Ann
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #4
    Hi -
    I don't have the exact details, but I was "very anemic" when I was diagnosed. I had only had rectal bleeding sporadically for 2 weeks. So I am thinking that it doesn't take a lot of bleeding to cause anemia. Perhaps your fissure bleeding is the cause.

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • davidsonxx
    davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
    #5
    PGLGreg said:

    How low? My hemoglobin count has been a little low for over a year, or maybe forever, for all I know. Three weeks ago it was 13.7gm/dL, and my test results give 14-18 as the reference range. My doctor hasn't expressed any concern.

    Greg

    I'm not sure what the value was. The onc did say that if the repeat test is still low he will probably want me to have a colonoscopy to check for problems. I get the retest tomorrow and will have the results on Thursday. I keep telling myself it can't be anything too bad because I feel good. I just hope I'm right.
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #6
    Try no to worry (yea, I know). Chemo causes anemia in many people... but, your Hgb was checked pre and post op. So the trend is what is really important. Minor fissure bleeding shouldn't cause a big drop, but your "minor" may be different from my "minor". Sounds like your doc is on the ball - recheck the number and then just make sure! No harm.

    If your energy level is great, it is most likely a lab error! Severe anemia makes you very tired. Are you pale? If your coloring and energy are good, try not to worry. :)

    Keep us posted. jana
  • davidsonxx
    davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
    #7
    jana11 said:

    Try no to worry (yea, I know). Chemo causes anemia in many people... but, your Hgb was checked pre and post op. So the trend is what is really important. Minor fissure bleeding shouldn't cause a big drop, but your "minor" may be different from my "minor". Sounds like your doc is on the ball - recheck the number and then just make sure! No harm.

    If your energy level is great, it is most likely a lab error! Severe anemia makes you very tired. Are you pale? If your coloring and energy are good, try not to worry. :)

    Keep us posted. jana

    I'm a little more tired than I have been but I've also had to travel for my job which is tiring. I think my color is good. I'm voting for the lab error.
  • davidsonxx
    davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
    #8
    My retest results showed some improvement but are still low. Dr said not to worry about it. It's just something we need to keep an eye on. He wants to retest in 2 weeks to see if I'm still improving. I guess I over reacted because my treatment and recovery has been anything but smooth. Hopefully this is the last bump.

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